Clinical utility of microRNAs in renal cell carcinoma: current evidence and future perspectives

ABSTRACT

Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, non-coding RNA molecules that epigenetically regulate gene expression. Recently, it has been shown that miRNAs are heavily involved in renal carcinogenesis by controlling the expression of proteins related to renal cell carcinoma (RCC) and, thus, the activity of key signaling pathways involved in pivotal cell processes.

Areas covered: This review focuses on the role of miRNAs as emerging biomarkers in RCC. We summarize the oncogenic and/or tumor-suppressive functions of miRNAs as well as the strong clinical information that these RNA molecules provide.

Expert commentary: miRNAs that could be either exploited as standalone biomarkers or integrated into molecular signatures with high clinical interest should be considered as ideal for diagnostic purposes and accurate molecular classification of renal tumors. Furthermore, miRNAs could serve as prognostic biomarkers, predicting disease-free and overall survival of RCC patients and, thus, reducing over- and/or under-treatment of patients. miRNA may also be used as predictors of patients’ response to targeted therapy with tyrosine kinase inhibitors, contributing to the decision-making process for the selection of the appropriate treatment plan.

KEYWORDS:

• Diagnosis
• prognosis
• molecular classification
• biomarkers
• tumor markers
• miRNA

Declaration of interest

The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

Reviewers Disclosure

Peer reviewers on this manuscript have no relevant financial relationships or otherwise to disclose.

Additional information

Funding

The research presented herein was carried out within the framework of a Stavros Niarchos Foundation grant to the National and Kapodistrian University of Athens.