Role of miRNAs in regulating responses to radiotherapy in human breast cancer

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer that affects females globally. Radiotherapy is a standard treatment option for breast cancer, where one of its most significant limitations is radioresistance development. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-protein-coding RNAs that have been widely studied for their roles as disease biomarkers. To date, several in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies have reported the roles of miRNAs in regulating radiosensitivity and radioresistance in breast cancer cells. This article reviews the roles of miRNAs in regulating treatment response toward radiotherapy and the associating cellular pathways. We identified 36 miRNAs that play a role in mediating radio-responses; 22 were radiosensitizing, 12 were radioresistance-promoting, and two miRNAs were reported to promote both effects. A brief overview of breast cancer therapy options, mechanism of action of radiation, and molecular mechanism of radioresistance was provided in this article. A summary of the latest clinical researches involving miRNAs in breast cancer radiotherapy was also included.

Keywords:

• Breast cancer
• miRNAs
• radiotherapy
• radiosensitivity
• radioresistance

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by FRGS grant by Ministry of Higher Education, Malaysia, grant number FRGS/1/2018/STG05/UNIM/02/1 and FRGS/1/2014/SG05/UNIM/02/1.

Notes on contributors

Zhi Xiong Chong

Zhi Xiong Chong is a PhD Candidate of Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia.

Swee Keong Yeap

Dr Swee Keong Yeap is an Associate Professor of biotechnology at China-ASEAN College of Marine Sciences, Xiamen University Malaysia.

Wan Yong Ho

Dr Wan Yong Ho is an Associate Professor of cancer biology at Faculty of Science and Engineering, University of Nottingham Malaysia.