MicroRNAs as therapeutic targets in human cancers

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are evolutionarily conserved, small, regulatory RNAs that negatively regulate gene expression. Extensive research in the last decade has implicated miRNAs as master regulators of cellular processes with essential role in cancer initiation, progression, and metastasis, making them promising therapeutic tools for cancer management. In this article, we will briefly review the structure, biogenesis, functions, and mechanism of action of these miRNAs, followed by a detailed analysis of the therapeutic potential of these miRNAs. We will focus on the strategies presently used for miRNA therapy; discuss their use and drawbacks; and the challenges and future directions for the development of miRNA‐based therapy for human cancers. WIREs RNA 2014, 5:537–548. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1229 This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Development