MicroRNA-21 as therapeutic target in cancer and cardiovascular disease.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a broad class of small non-coding RNAs that control expression of complementary target messenger RNAs. Dysregulation of miRNAs has been described in various disease states including cancer and cardiac disease. A particular miRNA that was consistently reported to be upregulated in both cancer and various forms of cardiovascular diseases is miR-21. MiR-21 exerts oncogenic activity and therefore is considered as an oncomir. In the cardiovascular system miR-21 is enriched in fibroblasts and contributes to the development of fibrosis and heart failure. MiR-21 therefore emerges as an interesting candidate for the development of therapeutic strategies against many forms of cancer as well as heart diseases. Indeed, treatment with anti-miR-21 oligonucleotides reduced breast cancer growth. Inhibition of miR-21 by synthetic miRNA antagonists (antagomirs) improved heart function in a cardiac disease model. The same beneficial effects were observed in miR-21 knockout mice subjected to pressure-overload of the left ventricle underlining the key role of miR-21 as a therapeutic target. We here overview the current patent situation about the therapeutic use of miR-21 modulation in cancer and cardiovascular disease.
Bonci
Désirée
D
Department of Hematology, Oncology and Molecular Medicine, Istituto Superiore Sanità, Rome, Italy. desiree.bonci@iss.it
D000818:Animals; D002318:Cardiovascular Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D051379:Mice; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000378:metabolism*; D009841:Oligonucleotides / Q000494:pharmacology; D015854:Up-Regulation
C524940:MIRN21 microRNA, human; C531950:MIRN21 microRNA, mouse; D035683:MicroRNAs; D009841:Oligonucleotides