microRNAs as cancer therapeutics: A step closer to clinical application

Cancer Lett. 2017 Oct 28:407:113-122. doi: 10.1016/j.canlet.2017.04.007. Epub 2017 Apr 12.

Abstract

During the last decades, basic and translational research has enabled great improvements in the clinical management of cancer. However, scarcity of complete remission and many drug-induced toxicities are still a major problem in the clinics. Recently, microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as promising therapeutic targets due to their involvement in cancer development and progression. Their extraordinary regulatory potential, which enables regulation of entire signalling networks within the cells, makes them an interesting tool for the development of cancer therapeutics. In this review we will focus on miRNAs with experimentally proven therapeutic potential, and discuss recent advances in the technical development and clinical evaluation of miRNA-based therapeutic agents.

Keywords: Drug delivery; Metastases; Therapy resistance; miR-15/16; miR-155; miR-34a.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Clinical Trials, Phase I as Topic
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic* / genetics
  • Genetic Therapy / methods*
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs / physiology
  • MicroRNAs / therapeutic use*
  • Neoplasms / genetics
  • Neoplasms / therapy*

Substances

  • MicroRNAs