MicroRNAs as a Potential Target for Cancer Therapy

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionary conserved small non-coding RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression by several mechanisms. Deregulation in expression of miRNAs has been reported in the pathogenesis of cancer. Accordingly, studies identified down regulation in the expression of miRNAs having tumor suppressor role and up-regulation in the expression of oncogenic miRNAs in different types of cancer. In response to these observations currently there are ongoing efforts to develop safe and effective miRNA-based therapeutics in the hope of fighting against cancer. This paper aimed at reviewing the role of miRNAs in tumorigenesis, and strategies for therapeutic targeting of miRNAs in cancer.