MicroRNA Dynamics in Hematologic Malignancies
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that fine-tune gene expression by binding to target messenger RNAs and influencing their stability or translation. In haematologic malignancies, dysregulated miRNA expression has emerged as a hallmark of tumour initiation, progression and therapeutic resistance. Aberrant levels of oncogenic miRNAs (oncomiRs) can suppress tumour suppressor pathways, while loss of tumour-inhibitory miRNAs may unleash proliferative and survival programmes in leukaemic cells. Beyond cell-intrinsic effects, miRNAs circulate in extracellular vesicles, shaping the bone-marrow niche and modulating immune responses. Profiling of cellular and circulating miRNA signatures offers potential for refined diagnosis, risk stratification and real-time monitoring of treatment responses. Moreover, miRNA-based therapeutics—using antagomiRs to neutralise oncomiRs or miRNA mimetics to restore tumour-suppressive functions—have entered early clinical investigation, heralding a new era of precision intervention in blood cancers.
Research from Nature Portfolio
No recent Nature Portfolio content available.
MicroRNA Dynamics in Hematologic Malignancies publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in microrna dynamics in hematologic malignancies across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
MicroRNA (miRNA): A ~22-nucleotide non-coding RNA that regulates gene expression post-transcriptionally.
OncomiR: A microRNA with tumour-promoting function, often upregulated in cancer cells.
Tumour suppressor miRNA: A microRNA that inhibits oncogenic pathways; loss contributes to malignancy.
Extracellular vesicle: A lipid-bound particle secreted by cells, transporting proteins, lipids and RNAs between cells.
AntagomiR: A chemically engineered oligonucleotide designed to specifically inhibit a target miRNA.
Biomarker: A measurable indicator of normal or pathological processes, or therapeutic responses.
References
- Extracellular Vesicles and MicroRNA in Myelodysplastic Syndromes. Cells (2023).
- MiRNAs in Hematopoiesis and Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
- Clinical Significance of microRNAs in Hematologic Malignancies and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation. Cancers (2023).
About these summaries
This Nature Research Intelligence Topic summary is created with the cited references and a large language model. We take care to ground generated text with facts, and have systems in place to gain human feedback on the overall quality of the process in line with our AI principles. We strive to create accurate and useful summaries for people unfamiliar with the research topic and that supports this goal. These pages are a beta release and will be updated as we learn how best to help people gain value from a research topic summary.
Turn complex research questions into confident strategic decisions
When you're under pressure to set direction, justify investment, or understand your competitive position, you need more than raw data — you need trusted insights you can act on.
Benchmark your performance against global peers using robust, methodologically sound analysis.
Combine quantitative metrics with qualitative expert insight to uncover strengths, gaps and emerging opportunities.
Gain tailored, decision-ready recommendations aligned to your strategic priorities.
Talk to us to learn more about our data dashboards and bespoke strategy reports.
Grow research skills, confidence and careers with training built for every stage of the research lifecycle.
Developed with Nature Portfolio journal Editors and internationally renowned experts. Discover three ways to learn:
Self-paced, online courses in convenient bite-sized units, covering key skills across scientific writing, publishing, grant writing, data analysis, and more.
Expert trainer-led workshops with hands-on exercises and real-time feedback across core research skills, delivered via interactive group sessions.
Editor-led workshops combining core principles in writing and publishing, personalised 1:1 feedback from Nature Portfolio Editors and hands-on exercises.
Explore course catalogues and workshop agendas, enquire about the options or request institutional pricing.