Search for Articles:
Title / Keyword
Author / Affiliation / Email
Journal
Article Type
 
 
Advanced Search
 
Section
Special Issue
Volume
Issue
Number
Page
 
8.8
4.4
Journals
Cancers
Special Issues
MicroRNA in Cancer: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Applications
cancers-logo
Submit to Special Issue Submit Abstract to Special Issue Review for Cancers Propose a Special Issue

Journal Menu

► Journal Menu

Journal Browser

► Journal Browser
share announcement

MicroRNA in Cancer: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Applications

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Biomarkers".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 31 May 2026 | Viewed by 2191

Special Issue Editors

Prof. Dr. Girish Shukla

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Center for Gene Regulation in Health and Disease, Cleveland State University, Cleveland, OH, USA
Interests: microRNA; andro-miRs; androgen receptor; non-coding RNAs; nuclear precursor mRNA processing; snRNA; RNA-RNA interactions; RNA-protein Interactions
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Sivakumar Vijayaraghavalu

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Life Sciences (Zoology), Manipur University, Imphal 795003, Manipur, India
Interests: microRNA; genetics; nanomedicine

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNAs that play crucial roles in regulating gene expression, impacting cellular processes such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and metastasis. Aberrant miRNA expression is a hallmark of cancer, influencing tumor initiation, progression, and therapeutic resistance. The identification and characterization of oncogenic and tumor-suppressive miRNAs have opened up promising avenues for cancer diagnostics, prognostics, and treatment strategies.

This Special Issue aims to provide a platform for the latest advancements in miRNA biology and its translational implications in cancer therapy. We invite the submission of original research articles, reviews, and commentaries that explore the roles of miRNAs in cancer pathogenesis; novel therapeutic strategies involving miRNA mimics or inhibitors; and innovations in delivery systems such as nanoparticles and viral vectors. Studies focusing on miRNA-based biomarkers for early cancer detection, prognosis, and precision medicine are also highly encouraged.

In this Special Issue, original research and review articles are welcome. Topics of interest include, but are not limited to, the following:

  1. The functional roles of miRNAs in cancer biology and signaling pathways;
  2. The discovery of miRNA-based biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis;
  3. miRNA-targeted therapeutic strategies: mimics, antimiRs, and inhibitors;
  4. Advances in miRNA delivery systems and their clinical translation;
  5. Computational and bioinformatics tools for miRNA analysis;
  6. The integration of miRNAs in precision oncology and personalized medicine.

We look forward to your contributions to advancing the understanding and application of miRNAs in cancer research and therapy.

Yours faithfully,

Prof. Dr. Girish Shukla
Dr. Sivakumar Vijayaraghavalu
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

  • microRNA (miRNA) therapeutics
  • cancer biomarkers
  • oncogenic and tumor-suppressive miRNAs
  • miRNA delivery systems
  • precision oncology

Benefits of Publishing in a Special Issue

  • Ease of navigation: Grouping papers by topic helps scholars navigate broad scope journals more efficiently.
  • Greater discoverability: Special Issues support the reach and impact of scientific research. Articles in Special Issues are more discoverable and cited more frequently.
  • Expansion of research network: Special Issues facilitate connections among authors, fostering scientific collaborations.
  • External promotion: Articles in Special Issues are often promoted through the journal's social media, increasing their visibility.
  • Reprint: MDPI Books provides the opportunity to republish successful Special Issues in book format, both online and in print.

Further information on MDPI's Special Issue policies can be found here.

Published Papers (3 papers)

Download All Papers
Order results
Result details
Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:

Research

13 pages, 2684 KB  
Article
MicroRNA-379 Modulates Prostate-Specific Antigen Expression Through Targeting the Androgen Receptor in Prostate Cancer
by James R. Cassidy, Margareta Persson, Gjendine Voss, Kira Rosenkilde Underbjerg, Tina Catela Ivkovic, Anders Bjartell, Anders Edsjö, Hans Lilja and Yvonne Ceder
Cancers 2025, 17(19), 3245; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17193245 - 7 Oct 2025
Viewed by 390
Abstract
Background: MicroRNA-379 (miR-379) has been reported to play a tumour-suppressing role in several cancer types. Our previous work demonstrated that miR-379 overexpression attenuates the metastatic spread of prostate cancer (PCa) both in vitro and in vivo. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. [...] Read more.
Background: MicroRNA-379 (miR-379) has been reported to play a tumour-suppressing role in several cancer types. Our previous work demonstrated that miR-379 overexpression attenuates the metastatic spread of prostate cancer (PCa) both in vitro and in vivo. However, the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Methods: To elucidate the mechanisms by which miR-379 affects metastases, we performed a cytokine array to identify secreted proteins modulated by miR-379 dysregulation in a bone microenvironment model. We then assessed the levels of the key candidate, and performed functional studies, including reporter assays, of the transcriptional regulation. Results: Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)—the clinically widely used blood biomarker for PCa—emerged as the most significantly affected secreted protein. We observed that PSA secretion increased following miR-379 inhibition and decreased with miR-379 overexpression, with parallel changes in intracellular PSA levels. However, our data suggests that miR-379 does not directly regulate PSA expression. Instead, miR-379 appears to downregulate androgen receptor (AR) expression by targeting its 3′-untranslated region (3′-UTR), thereby indirectly reducing PSA transcription through diminished AR-mediated promoter activation. Supporting this indirect mechanism, analysis of clinical samples from prostate cancer patients revealed an inverse correlation between expression of miR-379 in prostatic tissue and serum PSA levels. Furthermore, reduced miR-379 expression was associated with increased levels of AR immunostaining in malignant tissues. Conclusions: Taken together, these findings suggest that miR-379 negatively regulates PSA secretion indirectly via suppression of AR, and that the interplay between miR-379, AR, and PSA may contribute to the metastatic progression of PCa to bone. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue MicroRNA in Cancer: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

20 pages, 3290 KB  
Article
MiRNA Profiling in Premalignant Lesions and Early Glottic Cancer
by Anna Rzepakowska, Agnieszka Zajkowska, Marta Mękarska, Julia Śladowska, Aleksandra Borowy and Maciej Małecki
Cancers 2025, 17(17), 2883; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17172883 - 2 Sep 2025
Viewed by 640
Abstract
Background: miRNA profiling across different stages of laryngeal carcinogenesis explores dysregulated molecules relevant to engaged gene pathways and identifies markers for differential diagnosis and prognosis in early mucosal lesions of the larynx. Methods: Tissue samples were prospectively collected from 28 patients [...] Read more.
Background: miRNA profiling across different stages of laryngeal carcinogenesis explores dysregulated molecules relevant to engaged gene pathways and identifies markers for differential diagnosis and prognosis in early mucosal lesions of the larynx. Methods: Tissue samples were prospectively collected from 28 patients with hypertrophic vocal fold lesions: no dysplasia (ND), low-grade dysplasia (LGD), high-grade dysplasia (HGD), and invasive cancer (IC), as well as from 3 patients with vocal fold polyps. miRNA profiling of the samples was performed using microfluidic cards—TaqMan® Human MicroRNA Array A. A comparative analysis of ΔCt (dCt) miRNA expression levels was conducted between groups. Results: hsa-miR-216a-5p and hsa-miR-488-3p were selectively expressed in control tissues, while hsa-miR-105-5p and hsa-miR-516a-5p were exclusively detected in HGD and IC samples. Significant differences in miRNA expression were identified across 4, 16, 17, and 38 miRNA types between control and ND, LGD, HGD, and IC groups, respectively. hsa-miR-185-5p and hsa-miR-21-5p showed significantly altered expression between ND and LGD, HGD, and IC (p = 0.026, 0.001, 0.002; and p = 0.021, 0.002, 0.001, respectively). Twenty-five miRNAs were differentially expressed between LGD and both HGD and IC, while eleven miRNAs distinguished HGD from IC. Notably, hsa-miR-503-5p expression decreased progressively with increasing histological severity. Conclusions: Distinct miRNA expression profiles are associated with progressive stages of laryngeal mucosal lesions. Specific miRNAs may serve as valuable biomarkers for early detection, risk stratification, and prognosis in vocal fold carcinogenesis. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue MicroRNA in Cancer: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

21 pages, 4381 KB  
Article
Dysregulated MicroRNAs in Urinary Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer: From Molecular Characterization to Clinical Applicability
by Nouha Setti Boubaker, Aymone Gurtner, Sami Boussetta, Isabella Manni, Ahmed Saadi, Haroun Ayed, Livia Ronchetti, Ahlem Blel, Marouene Chakroun, Seif Mokadem, Zeineb Naimi, Mohamed Ali Bedoui, Linda Bel Haj Kacem, Khedija Meddeb, Soumaya Rammeh, Mohamed Riadh Ben Slama, Slah Ouerhani and Giulia Piaggio
Cancers 2025, 17(17), 2768; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers17172768 - 25 Aug 2025
Viewed by 833
Abstract
Background: Despite clinical and pathological risk tools, predicting outcomes in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), particularly high-grade (HG) cases, remains challenging due to its unpredictable recurrence and progression. There is an urgent need for molecular biomarkers to enhance risk stratification and guide treatment. Methods: [...] Read more.
Background: Despite clinical and pathological risk tools, predicting outcomes in non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC), particularly high-grade (HG) cases, remains challenging due to its unpredictable recurrence and progression. There is an urgent need for molecular biomarkers to enhance risk stratification and guide treatment. Methods: We assessed the prognostic potential of eight miRNAs (miR-9, miR-143, miR-182, miR-205, miR-27a, miR-369, let-7c, and let-7g) in a cohort of ninety patients with primary bladder cancer. Expression data were retrieved from our previously published studies. Kaplan–Meier’s and Cox’s regression analyses were used to evaluate the associations with overall survival (OS), metastasis-free survival (MFS), and clinical outcomes. Principal component analysis (PCA) was performed to identify informative miRNA combinations. Target gene prediction, pathway enrichment (DAVID), and drug–gene interaction mapping (DGIdb) were conducted in silico. Results: A high expression of let-7g and miR-9 was significantly associated with better OS in HG NMIBC and MIBC, respectively (p = 0.013 and p = 0.000). MiR-9 downregulation correlated with metastasis in MIBC (p = 0.018). Among all combinations, miR-205 and miR-27a best predicted intermediate-risk NMIBC progression and recurrence (r2 = 0.982, p = 0.000). A functional analysis revealed that these miRNAs regulate key cancer-related pathways (MAPK, mTOR, and p53) through genes such as TP53, PTEN, and CDKN1A. Drug interaction mapping identified nine target genes (e.g., DAPK1, ATR, and MTR) associated with eight FDA-approved bladder cancer therapies, including cisplatin and gemcitabine. Conclusions: Let-7g, miR-9, miR-143, miR-182, and miR-205 emerged as promising biomarkers for outcome prediction in NMIBC. Their integration into liquid biopsy platforms could support non-invasive monitoring and personalized treatment strategies. These findings warrant validation in larger, prospective studies and through functional assays. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue MicroRNA in Cancer: From Molecular Mechanisms to Therapeutic Applications)
►▼ Show Figures

Figure 1

Show export options expand_more Show export options expand_less
Select all
Export citation of selected articles as:
 
Displaying articles 1-3
Back to TopTop