title: Drug target miRNAs: chances and challenges.
abstract: miRNAs, short ribonucleic acid gene regulators, are increasingly popular drug targets. Traditionally 'undruggable' proteins can be targeted via their miRNA gene regulators, enabling the treatment of diseases that, at present, seem impossible to cure. However, addressing miRNAs requires innovation at the level of drug discovery. This review article outlines the potential of miRNAs as drug targets, focuses on the challenges of developing miRNA-targeting drugs, and surveys new advances. The aim is to provide an orientation guide for scientists, as well business analysts, to help them navigate the jungle of different approaches in miRNA drug discovery.
authors.affiliation: University Chemical Laboratory, University of Cambridge, Lensfield Road, CB2 1EW Cambridge, UK. Electronic address: mail@mfschmidt.com.
authors.forename: Marco F
authors.initials: MF
authors.lastname: Schmidt
mesh_terms: D055808:Drug Discovery / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects*; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors* / Q000378:metabolism*; D010600:Pharmacology / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends*
chemical_list: D035683:MicroRNAs
keywords: RNAi; antisense agents; drug discovery; miRNA; miRNA-induced silencing complex; small molecule miRNA modulators