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Updated: Jul 17, 2026

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MicroRNA Detection in Prostate Tumors by Quantitative Real-time PCR (qPCR)
Published on: May 16, 2012
MicroRNA-based diagnosis and therapy in prostate cancer.
Tu Anh Nguyen1, Thanh-Thao Thi Le1, Kim-Chi Thi Duong1
1Department of Microbiology - Parasitology, School of Pharmacy, University of Medicine and Pharmacy at Ho Chi Minh City, Ho Chi Minh City, 70000 Vietnam.
3 Biotech
|July 16, 2026
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators in prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression. Emerging miRNA biomarkers show promise for early detection, prognosis, and targeted therapies, though clinical translation requires further validation.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play critical roles in regulating gene expression.
- Dysregulated miRNA networks are implicated in the initiation, progression, and therapy resistance of prostate cancer (PCa).
- Specific oncogenic and tumor-suppressor miRNAs influence malignant phenotypes in PCa.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the biological, diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic significance of miRNAs in prostate cancer (PCa).
- To explore the potential of circulating and urinary miRNAs as minimally invasive biomarkers for PCa.
- To summarize current therapeutic strategies involving miRNAs for PCa treatment.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of current evidence on miRNAs in prostate cancer.
- Analysis of studies investigating miRNA roles in PCa initiation, progression, metastasis, and therapy resistance.
- Evaluation of diagnostic and prognostic potential of circulating, urinary, and exosomal miRNAs.
- Assessment of therapeutic strategies including anti-miRs and miRNA mimics.
Main Results:
- Dysregulated miRNAs modulate key pathways in PCa, including androgen receptor signaling, proliferation, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition.
- Circulating and urinary miRNAs show potential as minimally invasive biomarkers for PCa detection and monitoring.
- Multi-miRNA panels may offer improved diagnostic and prognostic accuracy over single markers.
- Therapeutic strategies targeting specific miRNAs demonstrate preclinical efficacy but face clinical translation challenges.
Conclusions:
- miRNAs offer mechanistic insights into PCa heterogeneity and hold significant promise for precision diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.
- Validated miRNA panels integrated with existing clinical tools (PSA, MRI, pathology) represent a realistic near-term application.
- Further standardization, validation, and technological advancements are crucial for clinical implementation of miRNA-based approaches in PCa management.
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MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...

