MicroRNA Regulation in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma
Summary
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignancy of the head and neck distinguished by its strong association with Epstein–Barr virus infection and its high incidence in Southeast Asia. MicroRNAs, a class of small non-coding RNAs, exert post-transcriptional control over gene networks that govern cell proliferation, apoptosis, invasion and metastasis. In NPC, distinct profiles of upregulated oncogenic microRNAs and downregulated tumour-suppressor microRNAs have been characterised, revealing their roles in modulating key signalling axes such as NF-κB, PI3K/AKT/mTOR and Wnt/β-catenin. Aberrant microRNA expression contributes to radioresistance, chemoresistance and epithelial–mesenchymal transition, thereby influencing clinical outcomes. Advances in profiling technologies have enabled the stratification of patients into molecular subtypes with discrete miRNA signatures, offering promise for risk-adapted therapies, predictive biomarkers and the rational design of miRNA-based therapeutics. The global significance of this research lies in improving early detection, personalising treatment and overcoming resistance in a cancer with complex aetiology and variable prognosis.
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MicroRNA Regulation in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in microrna regulation in nasopharyngeal carcinoma across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
MicroRNA: Small non-coding RNA molecule (~22 nucleotides) that modulates gene expression by binding target messenger RNAs and inhibiting their translation or inducing degradation.
Epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT): Biological process whereby epithelial cells acquire mesenchymal characteristics, enhancing motility and invasiveness during tumour progression.
Signalling pathway: Series of molecular interactions by which cells respond to external or internal cues, often involving cascades of protein phosphorylation.
Prognostic model: Predictive framework that integrates biomarkers to estimate the likelihood of clinical outcomes, such as metastasis or survival.
References
- Molecular subtyping of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and a microRNA-based prognostic model for distant metastasis. Journal of Biomedical Science (2018).
- Small biomarkers with massive impacts: PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling and microRNA crosstalk regulate nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Biomarker Research (2022).
- MicroRNAs as Therapeutic Targets in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma. Frontiers in Oncology (2019).
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