From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutics: Understanding MicroRNA-21 in Cancer

Overview

Journal Cells

Publisher MDPI

Specialties Biochemistry
Biophysics
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology

Date 2022 Sep 23

PMID 36139366

Authors

Jiho Rhim

Woosun Baek

Yoona Seo

Jong Heon Kim

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that play an important role in regulating gene expression at a posttranscriptional level. As one of the first discovered oncogenic miRNAs, microRNA-21 (miR-21) has been highlighted for its critical role in cancers, such as glioblastoma, pancreatic adenocarcinoma, non-small cell lung cancer, and many others. MiR-21 targets many vital components in a wide range of cancers and acts on various cellular processes ranging from cancer stemness to cell death. Expression of miR-21 is elevated within cancer tissues and circulating miR-21 is readily detectable in biofluids, making it valuable as a cancer biomarker with significant potential for use in diagnosis and prognosis. Advances in RNA-based therapeutics have revealed additional avenues by which miR-21 can be utilized as a promising target in cancer. The purpose of this review is to outline the roles of miR-21 as a key modulator in various cancers and its potential as a therapeutic target.

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