Wang Pei, Wei Xiaowei, Qu Xiaojun, Zhu Yefei
Laboratory Medicine Center, the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210011, China.
School of Biological Science and Medical Engineering, Southeast University, Nanjing, Jiangsu 210096, China.
J Biomed Res. 2024 May 29;38(4):289-306. doi: 10.7555/JBR.37.20230245.
Bladder cancer (BC) is the tenth most prevalent malignancy globally, presenting significant clinical and societal challenges because of its high incidence, rapid progression, and frequent recurrence. Presently, cystoscopy and urine cytology serve as the established diagnostic methods for BC. However, their efficacy is limited by their invasive nature and low sensitivity. Therefore, the development of highly specific biomarkers and effective non-invasive detection strategies is imperative for achieving a precise and timely diagnosis of BC, as well as for facilitating an optimal tumor treatment and an improved prognosis. microRNAs (miRNAs), short noncoding RNA molecules spanning around 20-25 nucleotides, are implicated in the regulation of diverse carcinogenic pathways. Substantially altered miRNAs form robust functional regulatory networks that exert a notable influence on the tumorigenesis and progression of BC. Investigations into aberrant miRNAs derived from blood, urine, or extracellular vesicles indicate their potential roles as diagnostic biomarkers and prognostic indicators in BC, enabling miRNAs to monitor the progression and predict the recurrence of the disease. Simultaneously, the investigation centered on miRNA as a potential therapeutic agent presents a novel approach for the treatment of BC. This review comprehensively analyzes biological roles of miRNAs in tumorigenesis and progression, and systematically summarizes their potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, as well as therapeutic targets for BC. Additionally, we evaluate the progress made in laboratory techniques within this field and discuss the prospects.
膀胱癌（BC）是全球第十大常见恶性肿瘤，因其高发病率、快速进展和频繁复发而带来重大的临床和社会挑战。目前，膀胱镜检查和尿液细胞学检查是BC既定的诊断方法。然而，它们的有效性受到其侵入性本质和低敏感性的限制。因此，开发高度特异性的生物标志物和有效的非侵入性检测策略对于实现BC的精确及时诊断、促进最佳肿瘤治疗和改善预后至关重要。微小RNA（miRNA）是一类短的非编码RNA分子，长度约为20 - 25个核苷酸，参与多种致癌途径的调控。显著改变的miRNA形成强大的功能调控网络，对BC的肿瘤发生和进展产生显著影响。对源自血液、尿液或细胞外囊泡的异常miRNA的研究表明，它们在BC中作为诊断生物标志物和预后指标具有潜在作用，使miRNA能够监测疾病进展并预测复发。同时，以miRNA作为潜在治疗剂的研究为BC的治疗提供了一种新方法。本综述全面分析了miRNA在肿瘤发生和进展中的生物学作用，并系统总结了它们作为BC诊断和预后生物标志物以及治疗靶点的潜力。此外，我们评估了该领域实验室技术取得的进展并讨论了前景。
