Therapeutic Opportunities for Targeting microRNAs in Cancer

Authors

  • Molly Taylor Oncology iMed, AstraZeneca R&D, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK
  • William Sciemann Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Wolstein Research Building, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.13052/mct2052-8426.812

Keywords:

Antisense oligonucleotides×Biomarkers×Chemotherapeutics×Locked nucleic acids×MetastamiR×Metastasis×microRNA×OncomiR×

Abstract

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that can function as either powerful tumor promoters or suppressors in numerous types of cancer. The ability of miRs to target multiple genes and biological signaling pathways has created intense interest in their potential clinical utility as predictive and diagnostic biomarkers, and as innovative therapeutic agents. Recently, accumulating preclinical studies have illustrated the feasibility of slowing tumor progression by either overexpressing tumor suppressive miRNAs, or by neutralizing the activities of oncogenic miRNAs in cell- and animal-based models of cancer. Here we highlight prominent miRNAs that may represent potential therapeutic targets in human malignancies, as well as review current technologies available for inactivating or restoring miRNA activity in clinical settings.

Author Biographies

Molly Taylor, Oncology iMed, AstraZeneca R&D, Alderley Park, Macclesfield SK10 4TG, UK

Molly A. Taylor is a Senior Scientist at AstraZeneca in Cambridge, UK. She received her B.A. in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology from the University of Colorado, Boulder. After which, she spent two years working National Jewish Medical and Research Center defining the role of gamma-delta T-cell subsets in immune response to infection. She went on to obtain her PhD from Case Western Reserve University, in the laboratory of William P. Schiemann, where she investigated the role of the tumor microenvironment and microRNA expression on TGF-beta-mediated breast cancer progression. After completing her PhD, she joined the AstraZeneca postdoc programme where she investigated the use of microRNAs as biomarkers of intrinsic and acquired resistance. Taylor is currently working on oncology biomarkers as Senior Scientist in the oncology bioscience group at AstraZeneca.

William Sciemann, Case Comprehensive Cancer Center, Case Western Reserve University, Wolstein Research Building, Cleveland, OH 44106, USA

William P. Schiemann is the Goodman-Blum Professor in Cancer Research in the Case Comprehensive Cancer Center. Dr. Schiemann received his BS in Premedicine from the University of Nevada-Reno in 1990. After receiving his PhD in Pharmacology from the University of Washington in 1996, Dr. Schiemann joined the laboratory of Dr. Harvey F. Lodish at the Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research and MIT, where he initiated studies of the “TGFß-Paradox” and its role in driving breast cancer metastasis and disease recurrence. In 2001, Dr. Schiemann expanded these analyses as an independent investigator, initially as an Assistant Professor at National Jewish Health (Denver, CO) and subsequently as an Associate Professor at the University of Colorado School of Medicine (Aurora, CO). In 2010, Dr. Schiemann moved his research program to Case Western Reserve University and its Comprehensive Cancer Center, wherein he continues to elucidate the molecular mechanisms that underlie breast cancer development, metastasis, and disease recurrence.

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Published

2023-03-27

How to Cite

Taylor, M., & Sciemann, W. (2023). Therapeutic Opportunities for Targeting microRNAs in Cancer . Molecular Cellular Therapy and Mechanism, 8(1), 19–52. https://doi.org/10.13052/mct2052-8426.812

Issue

2020: Vol 8 Iss 1 2020

Section

Articles