title: Combination of microRNA therapeutics with small-molecule anticancer drugs: mechanism of action and co-delivery nanocarriers.
abstract: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate multiple molecular pathways vital for the hallmarks of cancer with a high degree of biochemical specificity and potency. By restoring tumor suppressive miRNAs or ablating oncomiRs, miRNA-based therapies can sensitize cancer cells to conventional cytotoxins and the molecularly targeted drugs by promoting apoptosis and autophagy, reverting epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition, suppressing tumor angiogenesis, and downregulating efflux transporters. The development of miRNA-based therapeutics in combination with small-molecule anticancer drugs provides an unprecedented opportunity to counteract chemoresistance and improve treatment outcome in a broad range of human cancers. This review summarizes the mechanisms and advantages for the combination therapies involving miRNAs and small-molecule drugs, as well as the recent advances in the co-delivery nanocarriers for these agents.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Nanomedicine Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mercer University College of Pharmacy, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA.
authors.forename: Xin
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Dai
authors.affiliation: Cancer Nanomedicine Laboratory, Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Mercer University College of Pharmacy, 3001 Mercer University Drive, Atlanta, GA 30341, USA. Electronic address: tan_c@mercer.edu.
authors.forename: Chalet
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Tan
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000494:pharmacology; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000008:administration & dosage* / Q000235:genetics; D058990:Molecular Targeted Therapy; D049329:Nanostructures; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: Anti-miR; Co-delivery; Combination therapy; MicroRNA mimic; Nanocarrier; Small-molecule anticancer drug