MicroRNA Dynamics in Renal Cell Carcinoma
Summary
Renal cell carcinoma (RCC) encompasses a range of kidney neoplasms in which microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as critical regulators of tumour initiation, progression and metastasis. These small non-coding RNAs modulate gene expression post-transcriptionally by binding to complementary sequences in target mRNAs, thereby influencing translation or mRNA stability. In clear cell RCC, frequent inactivation of the Von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) tumour suppressor leads to accumulation of hypoxia-inducible factors and induction of hypoxia-responsive miRNAs that drive angiogenesis and metabolic reprogramming. Dysregulated miRNA networks also contribute to epithelial-mesenchymal transition, immune evasion and resistance to targeted therapies. Beyond tissue-resident miRNAs, circulating and exosomal species reflect tumour burden and microenvironmental interactions, offering minimally invasive windows into disease status. Technological advances in high-throughput sequencing and digital quantification have enabled detailed mapping of miRNA landscapes, underpinning novel diagnostic signatures, prognostic models and therapeutic targets in RCC.
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MicroRNA Dynamics in Renal Cell Carcinoma publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in microrna dynamics in renal cell carcinoma across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
MicroRNA: A short non-coding RNA molecule (~22 nucleotides) that regulates gene expression by binding to target mRNAs and inhibiting translation or promoting degradation.
Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC): The most common RCC subtype, characterised by clear cytoplasm and frequent inactivation of the Von Hippel-Lindau gene.
Circulating cell-free microRNA (cfmiR): miRNAs released into body fluids, often encapsulated in vesicles or bound to proteins, serving as minimally invasive biomarkers.
Exosomal microRNA: miRNAs packaged within extracellular vesicles known as exosomes, which facilitate intercellular communication and can mirror tumour status.
Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR): A high-precision nucleic acid quantification technique that partitions samples into nanoliter droplets to enable absolute measurement of target molecules without reference standards.
References
- Diagnostic miRNA Signatures in Paired Tumor, Plasma, and Urine Specimens From Renal Cell Carcinoma Patients. Clinical Chemistry (2023).
- MicroRNA-155-5p Targets JADE-1, Promoting Proliferation, Migration, and Invasion in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma Cells. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2023).
- Use of Droplet Digital Polymerase Chain Reaction to Identify Biomarkers for Differentiation of Benign and Malignant Renal Masses. Cancers (2024).
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