Wearable nanopatch platforms for real-time miRNA sensing and editing: a vision for next-generation cancer management

Cancer therapy is undergoing an evolution where on-the-spot, adaptable, and fully personalized treatment will soon be in vogue. Central to this progress are microRNAs (miRNAs), which serve as key regulators in cancer biology. Their altered expression profiles not only provide valuable biomarkers enabling early cancer detection but also offer dynamic molecular targets for therapeutic intervention. miRNAs are key regulators frequently used as cancer biomarkers, enabling early detection and timely intervention. Recent advances in wearable biosensing technologies have ushered in innovative platforms such as smart bandages, flexible electronic tattoos, and microneedle arrays that can monitor molecular biomarkers, including miRNAs, directly from interstitial fluid in a minimally invasive way. Emerging therapeutic applications now include wearable miRNA-editing patches that hold promise to correct dysregulated miRNAs at the disease site. This approach moves beyond static, standard treatments toward dynamic and adaptive cancer therapies tailored in real time. This review discusses the scientific basis of miRNA roles in cancer, recent technological breakthroughs in wearable biosensing and gene editing, and key translational challenges-such as biocompatibility, targeted delivery, and regulatory approvals-that must be addressed to realize the potential of truly personalized next-generation cancer therapy platforms.