Targeted gene therapy for cancer: the impact of microRNA multipotentiality

Small interfering RNA: From designing to therapeutic in cancer

Cancer has become a significant public health concern worldwide. It is a group of diseases, often resulting from the dysregulation of multiple cellular pathways involved in differentiation, cell proliferation, cell cycle regulation, and DNA repair. These disruptions are primarily caused by genetic mutation and epigenetic alterations which lead to uncontrolled growth and tumor formation. Targeted therapy is a precise and effective strategy to overcome the shortcomings of conventional therapy. RNA interference (RNAi) is a gene-silencing mechanism that has an uncanny ability to target disease-associated genes. Small interfering RNA (siRNA) is a key component of RNAi and has shown promise in silencing oncogenes and inhibiting cancer progression. However, the therapeutic application of siRNA faces several challenges such as poor cellular uptake, short half-life, endosomal escape, immune system activation, and off-target. Strategies to address these challenges are optimized designing of siRNA, advanced delivery systems, and chemical modification to improve cellular uptake and protect from degradation. This review focuses on the therapeutic potential of siRNA in cancer treatment and discusses the action mechanism of siRNA, barriers in siRNA, and strategies to overcome them. The review shed light on the current clinical trial of siRNA-based cancer therapy, along with outcomes and limitations.

Exosomal miRNA-based theranostics in cervical cancer: bridging diagnostics and therapy

Cervical cancer (CC) remains a significant global health burden, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, where access to effective screening and treatment is limited. Despite advancements in conventional therapies, such as surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, challenges related to late-stage diagnosis, treatment resistance, and disease recurrence persist. The emergence of microRNAs (miRNAs) as key regulators of gene expression has revolutionized cancer diagnostics and therapeutics. Exosomal miRNAs, in particular, have garnered attention due to their stability, detectability in bodily fluids, and pivotal roles in tumor progression, metastasis, and immune modulation. This review provides a comprehensive overview of the role of exosomal miRNAs in the theranostic landscape of CC. We explore their involvement in disease pathogenesis, highlighting their potential as minimally invasive diagnostic biomarkers for early detection and disease monitoring. Furthermore, we examine their utility in therapeutic strategies, including miRNA-mediated drug delivery systems and miRNA-targeted interventions to overcome chemoresistance. Integrating exosomal miRNA profiling with current diagnostic modalities could enhance screening sensitivity and specificity, while miRNA-based therapies offer novel avenues to improve treatment efficacy. This review discusses recent advancements in miRNA research, current challenges in clinical translation, and future perspectives on leveraging exosomal miRNAs for personalized CC care.

Unveiling hotspots of emerging research in the miRNA-related mechanism underlying cancer through comprehensive bibliometric analysis with implications for precision medicine and non-invasive diagnostics

Background and objective

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in cancer by exerting roles in tumor growth, metastasis, and even drug resistance. The general trends of miRNA research in diverse cancers are not fully understood. In this work, miRNA-related research in colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, leukemia, and brain tumors was analyzed in search of key research trends with clinical potential.

Methods

A bibliometric analysis of articles, spanning from 2014 to 2024, was carried out with the major focus laid on four types of cancers. The Co-citation network analysis, keyword bursts, and the collaborative pattern were done in VOSviewer and CiteSpace, respectively.

Results

Colorectal cancer had the highest publication volume, with research primarily focusing on gene expression, extracellular vesicles, and non-coding RNAs. Prostate cancer showed a shift toward clinical applications, while leukemia and brain tumor research, though less extensive, highlighted miRNA's potential in early diagnosis and treatment. Co-citation analysis identified emerging research collaborations and key contributors.

Conclusion

miRNA plays a pivotal role in cancer diagnosis, biomarker development, and therapeutic interventions. With advancements in non-invasive diagnostics and personalized medicine, miRNA offers significant potential for clinical applications. Future research should focus on miRNA's role in drug resistance and combination therapies to accelerate its clinical translation.

MicroRNA 133A Regulates Squalene Epoxidase Expression in Colorectal Cancer Cells to Control Cell Proliferation and Cholesterol Production

Background/Objectives: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide, with high incidence and mortality rates. MicroRNAs are endogenous and non-coding RNAs that play a pivotal role in the development and progression of various cancers by targeting specific genes. Previously, we identified MIR133A to be significantly decreased in human CRC tissues. This study aims to identify the relationship with SQLE, one of the candidate target genes of MIR133A, and study their interaction in CRC cells. Methods: Through the luciferase reporter assay, quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR), and Western blot analysis. Results: We identified SQLE as a direct target gene of MIR133A. Using the MIR133A KI cell lines, which knocked-in MIR133A1 or MIR133A2 in CRC cell lines, and CRC cells transfected with siSQLE, we found that MIR133A regulated the proliferation and migration of CRC cells by modulating SQLE-mediated PIK3CA-AKT1 and CYP24A1 signaling. We also found that cholesterol production was regulated by MIR133A in CRC cells. Conclusions: Our results suggest that MIR133A is an important therapeutic target for colorectal cancer.