MicroRNAs and the Response of Prostate Cancer to Anti-Cancer Drugs

Curr Drug Targets. 2016;17(3):257-65. doi: 10.2174/1389450116666150316223341.

Abstract

Despite considerable advances in early diagnosis, prostate cancer (PCa) remains the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in men in western countries. In fact, although efficient therapies exist for early-stage disease, the treatment of advanced PCa remains unsuccessful mainly due to its poor responsiveness to anti-cancer agents. This evidence underlines the urgent need for the development of novel and more effective therapeutic approaches. In this context, the documented dysregulation of microRNAs (miRNAs)--which are short non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at post-transcriptional level- in PCa, together with their potential to simultaneously regulate multiple oncogenic/ tumor-suppressive pathways, has stimulated interest in defining a functional association between altered expression of specific miRNAs and the response of PCa to anti-cancer agents. The purpose of this review is to provide an overview on PCa-related miRNAs as potential novel therapeutic targets/tools, with a special focus on the role that they may play in conditioning the responsiveness of PCa to anti-cancer drugs.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / drug effects
  • Humans
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • MicroRNAs