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Challenges and Strategies in Advancing miRNA-based Cancer Therapeutics
W M Farhan Syafiq B W M Nor1, Chung Lip Yong2, Syed Mahmood3
1Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medicine, Universiti Malaya, 50603 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
Current Pharmaceutical Biotechnology
|July 28, 2026
Summary
MicroRNA (miRNA) modulation shows promise for targeted cancer therapy but faces challenges like instability and poor delivery. Chemical modifications and nanodelivery strategies are being developed to overcome these hurdles for clinical use.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biotechnology
Background:
- Targeted cancer therapies are advancing, with microRNAs (miRNAs) emerging as key targets for therapeutic modulation.
- miRNA-based therapeutics offer specificity but encounter biological complexities such as rapid degradation, limited tumor penetration, and potential immunotoxicity.
- Overcoming these challenges is crucial for realizing the clinical potential of miRNA therapeutics.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the challenges and advancements in miRNA-based cancer therapeutics.
- To highlight the strategies employed to enhance miRNA stability, delivery, and safety.
- To assess the current status and future directions of miRNA therapeutics in oncology.
Main Methods:
- Review of preclinical and clinical studies on miRNA-based cancer therapies.
- Analysis of chemical modifications and nanodelivery systems for miRNA optimization.
- Evaluation of data regarding stability, tumor penetration, and immunotoxicity of miRNA therapeutics.
Main Results:
- Significant progress has been achieved in developing chemical modifications and nanodelivery systems for miRNA therapeutics.
- These strategies have shown potential in preclinical and clinical settings to improve miRNA stability and delivery.
- Key challenges including optimizing stability, enhancing delivery efficiency, and ensuring safety persist.
Conclusions:
- miRNA modulation is a promising strategy for targeted cancer therapy.
- Chemical modifications and nanodelivery are critical for overcoming biological barriers.
- Further optimization of stability, delivery, and safety is essential for the successful clinical translation of miRNA-based cancer therapeutics.
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