MicroRNA-30 Family Functions in Oncology

The microRNA-30 family comprises five conserved members (miR-30a, miR-30b, miR-30c, miR-30d and miR-30e), each generating guide (5p) and passenger (3p) strands that regulate gene expression by binding to target mRNAs. In oncology, these small noncoding RNAs exhibit dual roles, acting as tumour suppressors or oncogenes depending on cellular context and cancer type. Tumour-suppressive functions are often mediated through inhibition of pathways driving cell proliferation, stemness or epithelial–mesenchymal transition, while oncogenic activities promote invasion, metastasis or therapeutic resistance via downregulation of metastasis suppressors or cell cycle inhibitors. The family has emerged as both a source of circulating biomarkers for early detection and a potential therapeutic target, with preclinical models demonstrating that restoration or inhibition of specific miR-30 species can modulate tumour growth. Advances in delivery systems, including lipid nanoparticles and antisense oligonucleotides, are paving the way for clinical translation of miR-30-based interventions across a range of solid tumours.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Work on trastuzumab-resistant HER2-positive breast cancer has revealed that miR-30b is upregulated in response to HER2 blockade and directly targets the cell cycle regulator CCNE2. In sensitive cell lines, trastuzumab induces miR-30b, leading to G1 arrest and reduced viability. In contrast, resistant cells fail to upregulate miR-30b, correlating with persistent CCNE2 expression and continued proliferation. Restoration of miR-30b sensitises resistant cells to trastuzumab by repressing CCNE2, highlighting a feedback loop in which therapeutic response is modulated through a microRNA-mediated control of cyclin activity. This study established miR-30b as both a mediator of drug action and a candidate target for overcoming acquired resistance.

MicroRNA-30 Family Functions in Oncology publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in microrna-30 family functions in oncology across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

microRNA: Small noncoding RNA (~22 nucleotides) that post-transcriptionally regulates gene expression by binding complementary sequences in target mRNAs.

lncRNA: Long noncoding RNA, typically >200 nucleotides, that can regulate microRNA availability by acting as molecular ‘sponges’ or scaffolds.

Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT): A biological process in which epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal properties, enhancing motility and invasiveness.

Xenograft model: An in vivo system in which human tumour cells are implanted into immunocompromised mice to study tumour growth and therapeutic responses.

Tumoroid: A three-dimensional culture of patient-derived tumour cells that recapitulates the microenvironment and heterogeneity of the original tumour.

Sponging: The sequestration of microRNAs by complementary binding, reducing their availability to target mRNAs.

References

1. miR‐30 Family: A Promising Regulator in Development and Disease. BioMed Research International (2018).
2. The role of miR-26a and miR-30b in HER2+ breast cancer trastuzumab resistance and regulation of the CCNE2 gene. Scientific Reports (2017).
3. NCAPD3 exerts tumor-promoting effects in prostatic cancer via dual impact on miR-30a-5p by STAT3-MALAT1 and MYC. Cell Death Discovery (2024).
4. Tumor-Suppressive and Immunomodulating Activity of miR-30a-3p and miR-30e-3p in HNSCC Cells and Tumoroids. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
5. MicroRNA‐30d promotes tumor invasion and metastasis by targeting Galphai2 in hepatocellular carcinoma. Hepatology (2009).