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MicroRNA prognostic markers for immune checkpoint inhibitor success in urologic cancers
Panagiotis J Vlachostergios1,2,3, Konstatinos Evmorfopoulos3, Konstantinos Marsitopoulos3
1Department of Medical Oncology, IASO Thessalias General Hospital, Larissa, Greece.
Abstract:
Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have significantly transformed the treatment landscape of urologic malignancies, including bladder cancer, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), and prostate cancer. Despite impressive clinical responses in subsets of patients, the heterogeneity of response highlights the urgent need for robust prognostic biomarkers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) - small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally - have emerged as pivotal players in tumor immune regulation and cancer progression. This review synthesizes current evidence on miRNA prognostic markers predictive of ICI success in urologic cancers, emphasizing their biological functions, clinical utility, and therapeutic implications. We discuss miRNA signatures with prognostic value, their mechanisms modulating immune checkpoints, and prospects for integrating miRNA profiling into personalized immunotherapy strategies. This work provides the first cancer-type - stratified synthesis linking mechanistic data, circulating biomarkers, and therapeutic modulation on miRNAs and ICIs in urologic cancers.
Insights
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show promise as biomarkers for predicting responses to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) in urologic cancers. This review synthesizes evidence on miRNA prognostic markers for bladder, kidney, and prostate cancers.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Immunology
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have revolutionized urologic cancer treatment.
- Patient responses to ICIs are heterogeneous, necessitating prognostic biomarkers.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression involved in tumor immunity and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review and synthesize evidence on miRNA prognostic markers for predicting ICI success in urologic malignancies.
- To explore the biological functions, clinical utility, and therapeutic implications of these miRNA markers.
- To provide a cancer-type-stratified overview linking miRNA mechanisms, biomarkers, and immunotherapy.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature review of studies investigating miRNAs as prognostic markers for ICI therapy in urologic cancers.
- Analysis of miRNA signatures, their mechanisms of action on immune checkpoints, and their predictive value.
- Synthesis of data stratified by cancer type (bladder, renal cell carcinoma, prostate cancer).
Main Results:
- Identified specific miRNA signatures associated with ICI response in urologic cancers.
- Highlighted the role of miRNAs in modulating immune checkpoint pathways.
- Discussed the potential of circulating miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers.
Conclusions:
- miRNAs hold significant potential as prognostic biomarkers for ICI therapy in urologic cancers.
- miRNA profiling could enhance personalized immunotherapy strategies.
- Further research is needed to validate and translate these findings into clinical practice.
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