MicroRNA Applications in Colorectal Cancer Therapeutics

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally and play pivotal roles in colorectal cancer pathogenesis. Dysregulated miRNA profiles contribute to tumour initiation, progression, metastasis and treatment resistance by modulating key signalling cascades such as WNT/β-catenin, PI3K/AKT and TGFβ. Therapeutic strategies harness either restoration of tumour-suppressive miRNAs through synthetic mimics or inhibition of oncogenic miRNAs via antagomirs or sponges. In parallel, miRNA signatures in tissue biopsies and liquid biopsies have emerged as minimally invasive biomarkers to predict response to neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy and chemotherapy, enabling more precise patient stratification and reducing unnecessary toxicity. Recent advances in nanoparticle carriers, lipid vesicles and conjugated antibodies have enhanced the stability and targeted delivery of miRNA therapeutics in vivo. Tailored design of miRNA sponges and antagomirs has enabled selective silencing of oncogenic miRNAs in preclinical models, while integration of miRNA profiling with digital pathology and machine-learning algorithms promises robust patient selection. These innovations underscore the global significance of miRNA-based interventions in personalised medicine for colorectal cancer, offering new avenues to overcome heterogeneous tumour microenvironments and therapy resistance as research moves from bench to bedside.

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MicroRNA Applications in Colorectal Cancer Therapeutics publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in microrna applications in colorectal cancer therapeutics across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

microRNA: Small non-coding RNA molecules (18–25 nucleotides) that regulate gene expression by binding to messenger RNAs.

Oncogene: Gene whose gain of function or overexpression promotes cancerous transformation and tumour growth.

Tumour suppressor: Gene that inhibits cell proliferation or survival; loss of its function contributes to malignancy.

Biomarker: Measurable biological molecule indicating normal or pathogenic processes, or responses to therapy.

Neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy: Combined chemotherapy and radiotherapy given before surgical resection to shrink tumours and improve outcomes.

Circulating tumour cells: Cancer cells that have detached from the primary tumour and circulate in the bloodstream, offering a non-invasive window into tumour biology.

References

1. Deregulation of the miR-19b/PPP2R5E Signaling Axis Shows High Functional Impact in Colorectal Cancer Cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
2. Circulating Tumour Cell Associated MicroRNA Profiles Change during Chemoradiation and Are Predictive of Response in Locally Advanced Rectal Cancer. Cancers (2023).
3. MicroRNAs in colorectal cancer: translation of molecular biology into clinical application. Molecular Cancer (2009).