title: Clinical applications of microRNAs.
abstract: MicroRNAs represent a class of small RNAs derived from polymerase II controlled transcriptional regions. The primary transcript forms one or several bulging double stranded hairpins which are processed by Drosha and Dicer into hetero-duplexes. The targeting microRNA strand of the duplex is incorporated into the RNA Induced Silencing Complex from where it silences up to hundreds of mRNA transcript by inducing mRNA degradation or blocking protein translation. Apart from involvement in a variety of biological processes, microRNAs were early recognized for their potential in disease diagnostics and therapeutics. Due to their stability, microRNAs could be used as biomarkers. Currently, there are microRNA panels helping physicians determining the origins of cancer in disseminated tumors. The development of microRNA therapeutics has proved more challenging mainly due to delivery issues. However, one drug is already in clinical trials and several more await entering clinical phases. This review summarizes what has been recognized pre-clinically and clinically on diagnostic microRNAs. In addition, it highlights individual microRNA drugs in running platforms driven by four leading microRNA-therapeutic companies.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02215, USA ; Department of Genetics and Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Per
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Hydbring
authors.affiliation: Department of Genetics and Medicine, Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02115, USA ; Department of Medical Oncology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute and Harvard Medical School, Boston MA, 02215, USA ; Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston MA, 02115, USA.
authors.forename: Gayane
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Badalian-Very