MicroRNAs: short non-coding players in cancer chemoresistance

Abstract

Chemoresistance is one of the main problems in the therapy of cancer. There are a number of different molecular
mechanisms through which a cancer cell acquires resistance to a specific treatment, such as alterations in drug
uptake, drug metabolism and drug targets. There are several lines of evidence showing that miRNAs are involved in
drug sensitivity of cancer cells in different tumor types and by different treatments. In this review, we provide an
overview of the more recent and significant findings on the role of miRNAs in cancer cell drug resistance. In
particular, we focus on specific miRNA mechanisms of action that in various steps lead from drug cell sensitivity to
drug cell resistance. We also provide evidence on how miRNA profiling may unveil relevant predictive biomarkers
for therapy outcomes.