Functional significance of miR-218 in lung cancer

Lung cancer remains one of the most prevalent and lethal malignancies worldwide, characterized by a poor prognosis and high mortality rates. Although therapeutic strategies targeting oncogenic signaling cascades, such as receptor tyrosine kinases, have shown promising outcomes by regulating cellular functions such as survival and proliferation, their long-term effectiveness is often limited by mechanisms, including tumor resistance, drug toxicity, and adverse events. These challenges underscore the urgent need to identify new molecular targets and develop alternative therapeutic approaches. One promising avenue lies in the exploration of microRNAs (miRs) and their significance in cancer biology. Among them, miR-218 has drawn significant attention for its tumor-suppressive properties. Multiple experimental studies have emphasized the role of miR-218 as a key regulator of cell signaling pathways critical to cancer progression, including proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and apoptosis. Notably, miR-218 has been investigated as both a diagnostic biomarker and a therapeutic target. Importantly, clinical evidence further supports its relevance, showing an inverse correlation between miR-218 expression levels and tumor aggressiveness, reinforcing its translational significance. This review logically consolidates the functional significance, mechanistic insights, and experimental and clinical findings that emphasize the pivotal role of miR-218 in regulating molecular pathways involved in lung cancer growth.