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The regulation of microRNAs on chemoresistance in triple-negative breast cancer: a recent update

    Li-Jun Yan

    Laboratory of Cancer Biology & Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology & Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China

    ,
    Andy T. Y. Lau

    *Author for correspondence: Tel.: +86 754 8853 0052;

    E-mail Address: andytylau@stu.edu.cn

    Laboratory of Cancer Biology & Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology & Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China

    &
    Yan-Ming Xu

    **Author for correspondence: Tel.: +86 754 8890 0437;

    E-mail Address: amyymxu@stu.edu.cn

    Laboratory of Cancer Biology & Epigenetics, Department of Cell Biology & Genetics, Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, 515041, China

    Published Online:https://doi.org/10.2217/epi-2023-0430

    Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) has negative expressions of ER, PR and HER2. Due to the insensitivity to both endocrine therapy and HER2-targeted therapy, the main treatment method for TNBC is cytotoxic chemotherapy. However, the curative effect of chemotherapy is limited because of the existence of acquired or intrinsic multidrug resistance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are frequently dysregulated in malignant tumors and involved in tumor occurrence and progression. Interestingly, growing studies show that miRNAs are involved in chemoresistance in TNBC. Thus, targeting dysregulated miRNAs could be a plausible way for better treatment of TNBC. Here, we present the updated knowledge of miRNAs associated with chemoresistance in TNBC, which may be helpful for the early diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of this life-threatening disease.

    Plain language summary

    Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a subtype of breast cancer, which is characterized by high rates of invasion, recurrence and distant metastasis. At present, chemotherapy is still the main treatment option for TNBC. However, after some time, the sensitivity of tumor cells to chemotherapeutic drugs gradually decreases, which makes tumor cells develop chemoresistance. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small RNA molecules with length of 19–25 nucleotides that do not encode proteins. The expression level of miRNAs in cancer is usually abnormal. More and more studies have shown that miRNAs are involved in cancer development and associated with drug resistance. Therefore, this review summarizes the miRNAs associated with chemoresistance in TNBC.

    Tweetable abstract

    Review discussing the role of microRNAs in the development of chemoresistance in TNBC to indicate that they could be therapeutic targets and improve the chemosensitivity of TNBC.

    Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest; •• of considerable interest

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