The therapeutic potential of MicroRNAs in cancer

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal articleResearchpeer-review

  • Stine Buch Thorsen
  • Susanna Obad
  • Niels Frank Jensen
  • Stenvang, Jan
  • Sakari Kauppinen
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been uncovered as important posttranscriptional regulators of nearly every biological process in the cell. Furthermore, mounting evidence implies that miRNAs play key roles in the pathogenesis of cancer and that many miRNAs can function either as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. Thus, miRNAs have rapidly emerged as promising targets for the development of novel anticancer therapeutics. The development of miRNA-based cancer therapeutics relies on restoring the activity of tumor suppressor miRNAs using double-stranded miRNA mimics or inhibition of oncogenic miRNAs using single-stranded antisense oligonucleotides, termed antimiRs. In the present review, we focus on recent advancements in the discovery and development of miRNA-based cancer therapeutics using these 2 approaches. In addition, we summarize selected studies, in which modulation of miRNA activity in preclinical cancer models in vivo has demonstrated promising therapeutic potential.
Original languageEnglish
JournalCancer Journal
Volume18
Issue number3
Pages (from-to)275-284
Number of pages10
ISSN1528-9117
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2012

    Research areas

  • Animals, Antineoplastic Agents, Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic, Genes, Tumor Suppressor, Humans, MicroRNAs, Molecular Mimicry, Molecular Targeted Therapy, Neoplasms, Oligonucleotides, Antisense, Oncogenes

ID: 44534995