MicroRNAs in Personalized Medicine: Targeted Therapeutic Interventions and Their Emerging Role As Non - Invasive Biomarkers in Cancer Biology
MicroRNAs in Personalized Medicine: Targeted Therapeutic Interventions and Their Emerging Role As Non - Invasive Biomarkers in Cancer Biology
Review Article
MicroRNAs in Personalized Medicine: Targeted Therapeutic Interventions and Their Emerging Role as Non-
Invasive Biomarkers in Cancer Biology
Kehinde Adedapo Olajide*¹, Ekundina Victor Olukayode², Moronkeji Akinpelu³, Oloruntobi Olutayo Oluwaseun⁴
¹Department of Histopathology and Cytopathology,Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.
²Department of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Afe Babalola University, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Nigeria.
³Department of Medical Laboratory Science, Faculty of Allied Health Sciences, University of Medical Sciences, Ondo City, Ondo State, Nigeria.
⁴Department of Medical Microbiology and Parasitology, Faculty of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Achievers University, Owo, Ondo State, Nigeria.
ARTICLEINFO ABSTRACT
Keywords: Micro Ribonucleic acids (microRNAs or miRNAs) have gained attention in the research community in the
microRNA, last decade due to their roles in genetics and cancer biology. Initially, when compared to other nucleic acids
Cancer biology, their roles were considered insignificant.An extensive study conducted recently on miRNAs has provided a
oncology, wealth of knowledge regarding the background functions of microRNAs, most importantly, their role in the
cancer, pathophysiology of diseases such as cancer, gene expression or silencing, protein-coding gene modulation,
targeted therapeutics, cell differentiation, proliferation, and death.Therehas been significant progress made in the identification of
genes, the origin of miRNAs which has given researchers and scientists in Nigeria, Africa and the world at large,
diagnostic markers, the privy to focus on their diagnostic potential usage in both clinical fields for investigating the pathological
precision medicine. mechanism of diseases and also in the field of research, thus, creating the opportunity to use miRNAs as
a predictive non-invasive biomarker in different disease conditions such as Prostrate cancer, Cervical
cancer, Esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, Ovarian Cancer, Breast Cancer, Lung cancer, etc., and thus a
potential target in therapeutic inventions for this disease conditions in developing parts of the world, in like
countries like Nigeria, where the prevalence of these diseases are increasing.Nonetheless, issues such as the
standardisation of miRNA quantity, the normal range of miRNA value within the plasma, and the unification
of diagnostic techniques for miRNA quantification continue to be debated among various scientific schools of
thought; however, its diagnostic importance continues to outweigh the challenges of this new era diagnostic
markers.
Corresponding author:
3. miRNAs in Cervical Cancer (CC) target a single gene, miRNAs can regulate the expression of numerous
genes that are involved in the same biological pathway or disease process
In cervical cancer, miRNA-20a, miRNA-21, miRNA-203, miRNA-205, [30]. This multifaceted approach allows for a more comprehensive and
miRNA-485-5, miR-7, miR-10a, miR135b, and miR-149 were found to effective treatment strategy, particularly for complex diseases with
be over expressed. miR-21a plays a crucial role in CC as reported by multiple gene abnormalities.
Farzami [21] who noted a significant increase in miR-21 expression
in cancerous samples. It was found to stimulate inflammation and The development of synthetic miRNAs and anti-miRs has further
proliferation and inhibit apoptosis through angiogenesis, cell invasion, accelerated the progress of miRNA-based therapies. Synthetic miRNAs
and transduction of the NF-kB pathway [22]. Also, miR-944 was reported are designed to mimic the function of endogenous miRNAs, while
to be significantly up-regulated in CC. miR-138, miR-148b, miR-195, and anti-miRs are designed to inhibit the activity of specific miRNAs. Both
miR-214 were reported to be down-regulated and are suspected to be approaches can be used to restore or modulate gene expression patterns
tumour suppressors [23,24,25]. miR-138 is being found to stimulate in disease cells [34]. Synthetic miRNAs can be delivered to target cells
apoptosis and prevent cell migrations; similarly, miR-664 in HeLa cells using various delivery systems, such as nanoparticles, liposomes, or viral
is found to allow a higher sensitivity of cervical cancer cells to cisplatin vectors. These delivery systems protect the miRNAs from degradation
and lowered cell migration in the course of the disease [26]. and facilitate their uptake by target cells, ensuring efficient and specific
delivery to the desired tissues or organs[34].
4. miRNAs in Prostrate cancer
Nanoparticles, in particular, have revolutionized the field of miRNA
According to Moya et al. [27], there is dysregulation of several delivery. These tiny particles can be engineered to encapsulate
microRNAs in prostate cancer patients as compared to healthy and protect miRNAs, enhancing their stability and bioavailability.
individuals. These microRNAs include miR-4289, miR-326, miR-152-3p, Additionally, nanoparticles can be surface-modified with ligands that
and miR-98-5p. However, the mechanism by which these miRNAs impact specifically recognize and bind to receptors on target cells, enabling
cell proliferation and metastasis in prostate cancer remains unclear. precise targeting and delivery [36]. This targeted approach minimizes
off-target effects and improves the therapeutic efficiency of miRNA-
5. miRNAs in oesophagal squamous cell carcinoma based therapies.
This cancer is regarded to be one of the most aggressive malignancies; Possible Perspective Role of miRNAs in Medicine
it is diagnosed using an invasive biopsy method and the CK-19 and
Cyfra21-1 markers. Certain microRNAs from the miR-17-92 cluster were It has been reported that developing nations haveutilised miRNAs
significantly expressed in ESCC [28], particularly MiR-19a, which was in medical diagnostics to improve disease diagnosis and prognosis. In
found to be more sensitive than the previously used tumour markers, the case of prostate cancer, a study conducted in South Africa identified
CK-19 and Cyfra21-1, as well as more specific, as MiR-19a was found to and quantified EV miRNAs in the blood plasma of patients with low and
be significantly reduced after cancer removal [29]. high Gleason score prostate cancer. The researchers found that the ratio
between two miRNAs (miR-194-5p/miR-16-5p) was significantly higher
6. miRNAs in Lung Cancer in prostate cancer patients compared to those with benign prostatic
hyperplasia (BPH). This ratio can serve as a non-invasive marker for
Lung cancer is a frequent disease that kills millions of people evaluating the aggressiveness of prostate cancer in the South African
worldwide each year. Szelenberger et al. [1] found that plasma miR-145, population [37].In the context of breast cancer, microRNAs have also
miR-20a, miR-21, miR-223, miR-324-3p, and miR-19b were up-regulated shown promise as non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosis [38]. However,
in the plasma of lung cancer patients, whereas miR-1285, miR-25, and it is important to consider genetic and environmental factors that may
miR-183 were down-regulated; however, miR-19b was dysregulated [1]. influence the accuracy of these biomarkers.
They also found that miR-145 targeted PDK1 on the mTOR signalling
pathway, preventing lung cancer cell invasion and migration. MiR-210 A study by Uyisenga et al. [39] conducted in Rwanda evaluated the
has also been connected to regulating tumour cells’ hypoxia response effectiveness of a diagnostic circulating microRNA signature for breast
in lung cancer. cancer in different populations with findings showing that the circulating
microRNA signatures identified were not accurate enough for use as a
Micro RNAs in targeted gene therapy diagnostic test in both populations. However, accurate signatures were
found for each specific population separately further highlighting the
MicroRNAs have emerged as promising targets for gene therapy importance of considering population-specific factors when utilizing
due to their ability to fine-tune gene expression and control various microRNAs for diagnostic purposes [39].These studies demonstrate how
cellular processes [30].By targeting specific miRNAs, researchers aim Africa, including Nigeria, is actively involved in harnessing the potential
to manipulate gene expression patterns and restore normal cellular of microRNAs for medical diagnostics. By identifying and quantifying
function, making miRNAs a potential therapeutic strategy for various specific miRNAs, researchers can develop non-invasive markers to aid
diseases, including cancer [31]. MiRNAs have shown promise in cancer in the diagnosis and prognosis of diseases such as prostate cancer and
treatment by targeting oncogenes or tumour suppressor genes. For breast cancer.
instance, miR-34a mimics have been developed to mimic the tumour-
suppressing function of this miRNA, which is often down-regulated in However, further research is needed to validate and refine these
various cancers [32]. miRNA biomarkers to ensure their accuracy and applicability in
different populations [37,39].Nigeria, as one of the leading countries in
These mimics have been tested in preclinical models to inhibit tumour Africa, has been making strides in exploring the potential of miRNAs in
growth.MiRNAs have also been investigated as potential therapeutic medical diagnostics. Nigeria, like many African nations, faces significant
targets for cardiovascular diseases, neurological disorders, and viral challenges with infectious diseases such as malaria, HIV/AIDS, and
infections [33]. MiR-208, for example, plays a role in cardiac hypertrophy. tuberculosis [40]. Researchers in Nigeria have been investigating miRNA
In preclinical studies, inhibiting miR-208 has shown potential in profiles associated with these diseases. For instance, studies have
reducing heart failure progression. In Alzheimer’s disease, miR-29 has examined miRNA expression patterns in malaria-infected individuals,
been implicated in the regulation of amyloid precursor protein (APP) aiming to identify potential biomarkers for early detection and
processing.Modulating this miRNA might offer a therapeutic strategy monitoring of treatment response [41]. Efforts have also been directed
for altering APP metabolism. In viral infections such as hepatitis C, MiR- towards understanding miRNA involvement in cancers prevalent in the
122, abundantly expressed in the liver, is necessary for hepatitis C virus region, like breast and cervical cancers.
(HCV) replication [32].
Research endeavours have aimed to identify specific miRNA
Antisense oligonucleotides against miR-122 have been investigated as signatures that could aid in the early diagnosis and prognosis of these
a potential therapy to inhibit HCV replication.One of the key advantages cancers [42]. Such studies are vital considering the high incidence and
of miRNA-based gene therapy is its ability to target multiple genes mortality rates associated with these cancers in Nigeria. Furthermore,
simultaneously [34]. Unlike traditional gene therapy approaches that given the increasing burden ofnon-communicable diseases in Nigeria,
Kehinde Adedapo Olajide et al, Int J Biol Med Res. 2025; 16(1): 7974-7979
7977
Despite the enormous potential of miRNA therapeutics, there are still Not applicable.
several challenges that need to be overcome. One major hurdle is the
efficient delivery of miRNAs to target cells [50]. The delivery systems Competing interests
must be able to navigate biological barriers, such as the extracellular
matrix and cell membranes, to reach the desired intracellular Authors declare no competing interest
compartments. Additionally, the stability and release kinetics of miRNAs
within the delivery systems need to be optimized to ensure sustained References
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