title: MicroRNA therapeutics: principles, expectations, and challenges.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of highly abundant non-coding RNA molecules that are involved in several biological processes. Many miRNAs are often deregulated in several diseases including cancer. There is substantial interest in exploiting miRNAs for therapeutic applications. In this editorial, we briefly review current advances in the use of miRNAs or antisense oligonucleotides (antagomirs) for such therapies. One of the key issues related to therapy using miRNAs is degradation of naked particles in vivo. To overcome this limitation, delivery systems for miRNA-based therapeutic agents have been developed, which hold tremendous potential for improving therapeutic outcome of cancer patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Gynecologic Oncology, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Rajesha
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Rupaimoole
authors.forename: Hee-Dong
authors.initials: HD
authors.lastname: Han
authors.forename: Gabriel
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lopez-Berestein
authors.forename: Anil K
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Sood
mesh_terms: D016503:Drug Delivery Systems / Q000379:methods; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D015316:Genetic Therapy; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism / Q000628:therapy*; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs; D016376:Oligonucleotides, Antisense