The Role of miRNAs in Human Cancer

Dear Colleagues,

MicroRNAs (miRNAs), a class of highly conserved noncoding RNA, are capable of regulating the expression of several target genes that play a pivotal role in the development and progression of a plethora of pathological conditions. In recent years, knowledge regarding the altered miRNA profile and the biological function of these small molecules in solid cancers and hematologic malignancies are steadily rising. miRNAs act as oncogenes or exert tumor suppressor properties, embodying potential therapeutic targets for the most aggressive form of cancer and leukemia.

The potential application of circulating miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in liquid biopsy is currently under way, since they are stable and easily detectable in body fluid compared to other current methods. Meanwhile, sensitivity and specificity of isolation and detection miRNA techniques need to be improved.

Extracellular vesicles are the endogenous carriers of miRNAs which protect them from RNAse in blood and could represent potential natural vectors to deliver specific miRNA mimic or inhibitor in cancer tissues, thereby restoring their correct expression. 

This Special Issue cordially invites novel studies and review articles that address the peripheral blood miRNA profile to obtain an early tumor detection, thereby improving the diagnostic accuracy, and exploit their potential as novel therapeutic targets for personalized medicine.

Dr. Francesca Maria Orlandella
Dr. Peppino Mirabelli
Guest Editors

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• miRNAs
• cancer
• extracellular vesicles
• leukemia
• biomarkers
• target therapy