MicroRNA (miRNA) 越来越被认为是真核生物生理过程调节的核心参与者。这些小双链 RNA 分子已成为复杂的细胞信号通路网络中的关键调节因子，在人类癌症的发生和进展中发挥着重要作用。 miRNA 介导的信号通路调节的中心主题涉及它们靶向和调节通路成分表达的能力。 miRNA 的异常表达可以促进或抑制关键的信号转导事件，影响关键的细胞过程，例如增殖、凋亡、血管生成和转移。例如，致癌 miRNA 通常通过靶向信号通路的肿瘤抑制因子或负调节因子来促进癌症进展，从而增强通路活性。相反，肿瘤抑制 miRNA 经常通过靶向这些途径中的关键成分来抑制致癌信号传导。这种复杂的调控串扰强调了 miRNA 作为塑造癌细胞信号传导格局的核心参与者的重要性。此外，靶向 miRNA 对癌症的治疗意义重大。可以操纵 miRNA 来恢复正常的信号通路活性，为精准医疗提供了潜在的途径。基于 miRNA 的疗法（包括合成 miRNA 模拟物和 miRNA 抑制剂）的开发已在临床前和临床研究中显示出前景。这些策略旨在增强肿瘤抑制 miRNA 的活性或抑制致癌 miRNA 的功能，从而恢复信号平衡并阻止癌症进展。总之，人类癌症中 miRNA 和信号通路之间的串扰是癌症生物学的一个动态且有影响力的方面。了解这种相互作用可以为癌症的发生和进展提供宝贵的见解。利用 miRNA 作为信号通路调节剂的治疗潜力，为开发创新癌症治疗方法开辟了令人兴奋的机会，并有可能改善患者的治疗结果。在本章中，我们概述了癌症背景下 miRNA 和信号通路之间的串扰，并强调了针对这种调节相互作用的潜在治疗意义。版权所有 © 2024。由 Elsevier Inc. 出版。

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized as central players in the regulation of eukaryotic physiological processes. These small double stranded RNA molecules have emerged as pivotal regulators in the intricate network of cellular signaling pathways, playing significant roles in the development and progression of human cancers. The central theme in miRNA-mediated regulation of signaling pathways involves their ability to target and modulate the expression of pathway components. Aberrant expression of miRNAs can either promote or suppress key signaling events, influencing critical cellular processes such as proliferation, apoptosis, angiogenesis, and metastasis. For example, oncogenic miRNAs often promote cancer progression by targeting tumor suppressors or negative regulators of signaling pathways, thereby enhancing pathway activity. Conversely, tumor-suppressive miRNAs frequently inhibit oncogenic signaling by targeting key components within these pathways. This complex regulatory crosstalk underscores the significance of miRNAs as central players in shaping the signaling landscape of cancer cells. Furthermore, the therapeutic implications of targeting miRNAs in cancer are substantial. miRNAs can be manipulated to restore normal signaling pathway activity, offering a potential avenue for precision medicine. The development of miRNA-based therapeutics, including synthetic miRNA mimics and miRNA inhibitors, has shown promise in preclinical and clinical studies. These strategies aim to either enhance the activity of tumor-suppressive miRNAs or inhibit the function of oncogenic miRNAs, thereby restoring balanced signaling and impeding cancer progression. In conclusion, the crosstalk between miRNAs and signaling pathways in human cancers is a dynamic and influential aspect of cancer biology. Understanding this interplay provides valuable insights into cancer development and progression. Harnessing the therapeutic potential of miRNAs as regulators of signaling pathways opens up exciting opportunities for the development of innovative cancer treatments with the potential to improve patient outcomes. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the crosstalk between miRNAs and signaling pathways in the context of cancer and highlight the potential therapeutic implications of targeting this regulatory interplay.Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.