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Function and Regulatory Mechanism of MicroRNAs in Cancers
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Function and Regulatory Mechanism of MicroRNAs in Cancers

A special issue of Genes (ISSN 2073-4425). This special issue belongs to the section "Molecular Genetics and Genomics".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 January 2026 | Viewed by 1734

Special Issue Editors

Dr. Alicja Petniak

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
Interests: stem cells; mesenchymal stem cells; gene expression; microRNA; cancer
Dr. Paulina Gil-Kulik

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
Interests: stem cells; mesenchymal stem cells; gene expression; microRNA; breast mik; cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals
Dr. Janusz Kocki

E-Mail Website
Guest Editor
Department of Clinical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Medical University of Lublin, Lublin, Poland
Interests: microRNA; cancer; gene expression; alzheimer's disease

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as pivotal post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression, playing a significant role in the initiation, progression, and metastasis of various cancers. Their ability to function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors places them at the forefront of molecular oncology. This Special Issue examines the intricate regulatory networks involving microRNAs (miRNAs) in cancer biology, including their interactions with transcription factors, signaling pathways, and epigenetic mechanisms. We welcome original research articles and comprehensive reviews that investigate the functional roles of miRNAs in tumorigenesis, their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, and their relevance as therapeutic targets. We also encourage submissions that highlight novel miRNA-based therapeutic strategies, mechanisms of resistance, and the role of miRNAs in cancer immunology. Through this Special Issue, we aim to advance our understanding of microRNA-mediated regulatory processes and translate this knowledge into clinical applications.

Dr. Alicja Petniak
Dr. Paulina Gil-Kulik
Dr. Janusz Kocki
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 short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 250 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for assessment.

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. Genes is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly 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 2600 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

  • microRNAs (miRNAs)
  • cancer biomarkers
  • gene regulation
  • miRNA-based therapies
  • tumor microenvironment
  • cancer progression
  • drug resistance
  • non-coding RNAs
  • epigenetic regulation
  • cancer immunology

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

13 pages, 1306 KB  
Review
Plant-Derived miRNAs as Potential Cross-Kingdom Cancer Regulators
by Aizhan Rakhmetullina, Zuzanna Lubas and Piotr Zielenkiewicz
Genes 2025, 16(12), 1441; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16121441 - 2 Dec 2025
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression that influence cancer initiation, progression, and therapeutic response. While most studies have focused on endogenous miRNAs, emerging evidence has highlighted the role of plant-derived miRNAs as exogenous dietary regulators capable of cross-kingdom gene modulation. [...] Read more.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key posttranscriptional regulators of gene expression that influence cancer initiation, progression, and therapeutic response. While most studies have focused on endogenous miRNAs, emerging evidence has highlighted the role of plant-derived miRNAs as exogenous dietary regulators capable of cross-kingdom gene modulation. This review summarises current knowledge regarding plant-derived miRNAs and their ability to regulate human cancer-related genes. Experimental findings indicate that plant miRNAs can withstand gastrointestinal digestion, enter the circulation, and regulate the expression of oncogenes, tumour suppressors, long noncoding RNAs, and immune checkpoint molecules via canonical RNA-induced silencing mechanisms. Specific examples include miR-156a, miR-159a-3p, miR-166a, miR-167e-5p, miR-171, miR-395e, miR-2911, miR-4995 and miR-5754, which exhibit anticancer activities across various cancer types and modulate key signalling pathways in mammalian cells, highlighting their potential as cross-kingdom regulators with therapeutic relevance. In addition to these characterised miRNAs, certain plant groups, which are rich in bioactive compounds, remain unexplored as sources of functional miRNAs, representing a promising avenue for future research. Collectively, these studies underscore the ability of plant-derived miRNAs to modulate mammalian gene expression and suggest their potential as diet-based or synthetic therapeutic agents. Further investigations into their bioavailability, target specificity, and functional relevance could inform innovative strategies for cancer prevention, integrating nutritional, molecular biological, and therapeutic approaches. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Function and Regulatory Mechanism of MicroRNAs in Cancers)
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Graphical abstract

12 pages, 714 KB  
Review
MicroRNA-Induced Regulation of the IGF-1 System in Various Types of Cancer
by George Triantafyllou, Mary Kategianni, Maria Maridaki, Michael Koutsilieris and Anastassios Philippou
Genes 2025, 16(10), 1135; https://doi.org/10.3390/genes16101135 - 25 Sep 2025
Viewed by 1443
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is an important endocrine and autocrine/paracrine factor that regulates various cellular responses in multiple biological systems. Its actions are mediated mainly via its binding to the type 1 IGF receptor (IGF-1R), while its bioactivity is also modulated by [...] Read more.
Insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) is an important endocrine and autocrine/paracrine factor that regulates various cellular responses in multiple biological systems. Its actions are mediated mainly via its binding to the type 1 IGF receptor (IGF-1R), while its bioactivity is also modulated by the IGF-binding proteins (IGFBPs). The IGF-1 system regulates cell growth, differentiation and energy metabolism and thus plays a crucial role in the modulation of key aspects of cancer biology, such as cancer cell growth, survival, transformation and invasion. The synthesis of IGF-1 is regulated, among other factors, by microRNAs (miRNAs), and it has been shown that the miRNA-induced regulation of IGF-1 is implicated in various stages of tumor development and/or progression in different types of cancer. The aim of this review was to identify and characterize the miRNA-induced regulation of the IGF-1 system in various types of cancer. It was revealed that many miRNAs can be used as potential biomarkers, while others may contribute to metastasis regulation, targeting components of the IGF-1 bioregulation system and being implicated in cancer staging and/or progression. Additional miRNAs and their role in IGF-1’s effects on other types of cancer have also been identified. Nevertheless, future studies are needed to expand the current knowledge on the role of miRNAs in the regulation of other components of the IGF-1 bioregulation system and in various types of cancer, contributing further to the characterization of the role of miRNAs and their target genes as pathogenic, therapeutic and diagnostic molecules for cancer in clinical practice. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Function and Regulatory Mechanism of MicroRNAs in Cancers)
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