A perspective on the diagnostics, prognostics, and therapeutics of microRNAs of triple-negative breast cancer

Biophys Rev. 2019 Apr;11(2):227-234. doi: 10.1007/s12551-019-00503-8. Epub 2019 Feb 22.

Abstract

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most aggressive and prevalent subtype of breast cancer in women worldwide. Currently, chemotherapy remains the main modality for the treatment at an early stage, as there is no approved targeted therapy for early TNBC. In this review, we investigate the use of microRNAs (miRNAs), which play a key role in the post-transcriptional regulation of genes involved in the key biological processes, namely proliferation, differentiation, angiogenesis, migration, apoptosis, and carcinogenesis. Here, we emphasize the importance of the recent advances related to miRNAs, involving diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of TNBC. We focus on the development, optimization, and stabilization of miRNA-based drugs; improvement of miRNA delivery; and control of the off-target effects of miRNA therapeutics. We speculate as to which features may present themselves as promising approaches in the treatment of TNBC.

Keywords: Cancer biomarkers; TNBC; miRNA; miRNA-based therapy.

Publication types

  • Review