MicroRNA Dynamics in Cancer Progression

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules that orchestrate gene expression by guiding degradation or translational repression of target messenger RNAs. In cancer, dynamic changes in microRNA expression govern key hallmarks such as uncontrolled proliferation, evasion of apoptosis, angiogenesis, invasion and metastatic spread. Certain microRNAs act as oncogenes—so-called oncomiRs—by downregulating tumour suppressors, while others serve as tumour suppressors by restraining oncogenic pathways. Expression of microRNA clusters, notably the miR-17-92 polycistron, is frequently dysregulated in solid and haematological malignancies. Through feedback loops with transcription factors such as MYC and E2F, these clusters fine-tune cell-cycle transitions at the G1/S checkpoint and modulate apoptotic thresholds. Aberrant microRNA dynamics also contribute to therapy resistance, altering sensitivity to chemotherapeutic agents and targeted inhibitors. Profiling of circulating microRNAs shows promise as minimally invasive biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and monitoring of treatment response. An improved understanding of microRNA biogenesis, subcellular localisation and interaction with the RNA-induced silencing complex may inform the development of novel diagnostics and microRNA-based therapeutics to restore regulatory homeostasis in cancer.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have uncovered a novel pathway by which inhibition of an anti-angiogenic VEGF-A isoform stimulates expression of members of the miR-17-92 cluster in ischaemic endothelial and immune cells, leading to enhanced vascular perfusion through downregulation of a common target in the calcineurin regulatory network. This work highlights how microRNA modulation can reprogramme the vascular microenvironment in disease. In parallel, analysis of clinical breast cancer specimens has revealed that subcellular localisation of miR-20a-5p—within tumour stromal fibroblasts or cancer cell nuclei—associates differentially with proliferation markers, tumour grade and metastatic potential. Functional assays indicate that miR-20a-5p promotes migration and invasion in vitro, underscoring its context-dependent oncogenic role. Together, these findings emphasise the therapeutic and biomarker potential of microRNA clusters in cancer progression.

MicroRNA Dynamics in Cancer Progression publication trend

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

Technical terms

microRNA: A class of ~22-nucleotide non-coding RNA that regulates gene expression post-transcriptionally.

miR-17-92 cluster: A polycistronic group of six microRNAs often amplified or overexpressed in cancers.

OncomiR: A microRNA whose dysregulation promotes oncogenesis by targeting tumour suppressor genes.

RNA-induced silencing complex (RISC): A multiprotein assembly that mediates microRNA-guided mRNA cleavage or translational repression.

References

1. Inhibiting anti-angiogenic VEGF165b activates a miR-17-20a-Calcipressin-3 pathway that revascularizes ischemic muscle in peripheral artery disease. Communications Medicine (2024).
2. Roles of miR-20a-5p in breast cancer based on the clinical and multi-omic (CAMO) cohort and in vitro studies. Scientific Reports (2024).
3. miR-92a-3p regulates cisplatin-induced cancer cell death. Cell Death & Disease (2023).
4. MicroRNA signature and integrative omics analyses define prognostic clusters and key pathways driving prognosis in patients with neuroendocrine neoplasms. Molecular Oncology (2023).
5. Regulation of the Cell Cycle by ncRNAs Affects the Efficiency of CDK4/6 Inhibition. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).