MicroRNA Modulation in Cancer Radiotherapy

MicroRNAs are small non-coding RNA molecules that fine-tune gene expression and have emerged as pivotal regulators of tumour cell response to ionising radiation. By modulating key pathways involved in DNA damage recognition, repair, apoptosis and cell-cycle control, specific microRNAs can either sensitize malignant cells to radiotherapy or contribute to the development of radioresistance. Dysregulation of microRNAs has been observed across a range of solid tumours, including prostate, lung, breast and head and neck cancers, where aberrant expression profiles correlate with treatment outcome and disease progression. Beyond their intracellular actions, microRNAs circulate within small extracellular vesicles, offering a non-invasive window into tumour biology and the potential for early prediction of therapeutic response. Advances in delivery methods—ranging from lipid carriers to pegylated nanoparticles—have further enabled the targeted restoration or inhibition of individual microRNAs, opening avenues for personalised radiotherapy regimens. Collectively, this body of work underscores the global significance of microRNA modulation as both a biomarker platform and a therapeutic strategy to improve the efficacy and specificity of cancer radiotherapy.

Research from Nature Portfolio

Recent studies have identified a blood-based microRNA signature capable of stratifying the severity of localised radiation injury. In a preclinical model, a panel of eight circulating microRNAs distinguished different degrees of tissue damage and offered promise for rapid diagnostic and prognostic assessment following radiological exposure. This approach leverages the stability of plasma microRNAs and multivariate analysis to guide early clinical intervention.

Foundational work in non-small cell lung cancer has demonstrated that up-regulation of a single microRNA markedly enhances radiosensitivity. Restoration of this microRNA in tumour cells increased radiation-induced DNA damage and impaired repair by targeting key components of the double-strand break response, thereby reducing clonogenic survival. This proof-of-principle highlights microRNA modulation as a potent adjuvant to improve radiotherapeutic outcomes.

MicroRNA Modulation in Cancer Radiotherapy publication trend

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

Technical terms

microRNA: A short non-coding RNA molecule that regulates gene expression by binding to messenger RNA.

radiosensitivity: The susceptibility of cells or tissues to damage by ionising radiation.

radioresistance: The capacity of tumour cells to withstand or repair radiation-induced damage.

biomarker: A biological molecule whose presence or alteration indicates a physiological or pathological process.

small extracellular vesicle: A membrane-bound particle released by cells that carries proteins, lipids and nucleic acids.

DNA repair: The collection of cellular processes that detect and correct damage to DNA.

mTOR pathway: A signalling cascade controlling cell growth, proliferation and survival, often dysregulated in cancer.

References

1. Loss of miR-200c-3p promotes resistance to radiation therapy via the DNA repair pathway in prostate cancer. Cell Death & Disease (2024).
2. MicroRNAs targeted mTOR as therapeutic agents to improve radiotherapy outcome. Cancer Cell International (2024).
3. Radiotherapy Metastatic Prostate Cancer Cell Lines Treated with Gold Nanorods Modulate miRNA Signatures. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2024).
4. microRNA blood signature for localized radiation injury. Scientific Reports (2024).
5. Up- regulation of miR-328-3p sensitizes non-small cell lung cancer to radiotherapy. Scientific Reports (2016).