MicroRNAs in cancer: biogenesis, biomarkers and therapeutic strategies

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are identified as critical regulators in cancer biology, imparting a significant impact on tumor development and metastasis. miRNAs are identified as small, highly conserved, endogenous, non-coding RNA chains of 20-28 nucleotides. They target messenger RNAs and use to regulate their gene expression post-transcriptionally and modulate an extensive number of cellular mechanisms, for instance cell cycle control, regulation of stress response, and programmed cell death. It is evident from the studies that dysregulation of miRNA through genetic mutation, processing defects, and altered expression may cause various human diseases, including cancers, which underscores the role of miRNA either as oncogenic or as tumor-suppressing genes. miRNAs have been found as an emerging crucial regulatory tool for prognostic, diagnostic, and therapeutic applications for numerous malignancies. This review delves into highlighting significant aspects of miRNAs from the perspective of cancer, with respect to their biogenesis, dysregulation, and their function in cancer metastasis. Moreover, several miRNAs as oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes have been discussed along with different miRNA-based therapies for suppression and treatment of cancers.