MicroRNA signatures in osteosarcoma: diagnostic insights and therapeutic prospects

Abstract

Osteosarcoma (OSa) is the most prevalent primary malignant bone tumor in children and adolescents, characterized by complex genetic and epigenetic alterations. Traditional treatments face significant challenges due to high rates of drug resistance and lack of targeted therapies. Recent advances in microRNA (miRNA) research have opened new avenues for understanding and treating osteosarcoma. This review explores the many critical functions of miRNAs in osteosarcoma, particularly their potential for clinical use. The review highlights two key areas where miRNAs could be beneficial. Firstly, miRNAs can act as biomarkers for diagnosing osteosarcoma and predicting patient prognosis. Secondly, specific miRNAs can regulate cellular processes like proliferation, cell death, migration, and even resistance to chemotherapy drugs in osteosarcoma. This ability to target multiple pathways within cancer cells makes miRNA-based therapies highly promising. Additionally, though the interaction between miRNAs and circular RNAs (circRNAs) falls outside the scope of the paper, it has also been discussed briefly. While miRNA-based therapies offer exciting possibilities for targeting multiple pathways in osteosarcoma, challenges remain. Efficient delivery, potential off-target effects, tumor complexity, and rigorous testing are hurdles to overcome before these therapies can reach patients. Despite these challenges, continued research and collaboration among scientists, clinicians, and regulatory bodies hold the promise of overcoming them. This collaborative effort can pave the way for the development of safe and effective miRNA-based treatments for osteosarcoma.