MicroRNAs as therapeutic targets and their potential
applications in cancer therapy. INTRODUCTION: The results of
cancer-associated miRNA research have yielded surprising
insights into the pathogenesis of a range of different cancers.
Many of the dysregulated miRNAs are involved in the regulation
of genes that are essential for carcinogenesis. AREAS COVERED:
This review discusses the latest discovery of miRNAs acting as
oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, as well as the potential
applications of miRNA regulations in cancer therapy. Several
translational studies have demonstrated the feasibility of
targeting oncogenic miRNAs and restoring tumor-suppressive
miRNAs for cancer therapy using in vivo model systems. EXPERT
OPINION: miRNAs are extensive regulators of cancer progression.
With increasing understanding of the miRNA target genes and the
cellular behaviors influenced by them, modulating the miRNA
activities may provide exciting opportunities for cancer
therapy. Despite the hurdles incurred in acquiring