Harnessing the therapeutic potential of MicroRNAs and phytochemicals in modulating miRNA regulation during carcinogenesis.

miRNAs have become key regulators in cancer development, controlling diverse cellular mechanisms like tumor formation, growth, and spread involving genetic mutations, dysregulated signaling, immune evasion, and microenvironment interactions. This review explores the intricate role of miRNAs in regulating oncogenic and tumor-suppressive pathways across various cancer types. miRNAs are frequently dysregulated in various cancer types, making them promising targets for therapeutic intervention. Dysregulation can occur through epigenetic modifications, gene amplification or deletion, dysregulated expression of transcription factors, or dysregulated miRNA biogenesis. This imbalance between a tumor suppressor and oncogenic miRNAs is responsible for oncogenesis. Several miRNA-based targeted therapies, such as AMOs, miRNA sponges, miRNA masking, miRNA inhibitors, and miRNA mimics, are being developed to regulate this modulated expression. Additionally, the role of phytochemicals in modulating the expression and activity of miRNAs, as phytochemicals are known for their significant potential as anti-cancer agents, and their ability to modulate miRNA expression and activity makes them promising candidates for developing novel miRNA-targeted cancer therapies. Phytochemicals regulates dysregulated miRNA expression by regulating epigenetic modifications, transcription factor expression, and direct interaction, which may either increases or decreases the activit of miRNAs. The comprehensive overview provided in this review highlights the synergistic interplay between miRNAs and phytochemicals, offering insights into the development of personalised and targeted cancer therapies. An enhanced understanding of the complex regulatory networks involving miRNAs and phytochemicals holds great promise for advancing the chemotherapeutic approaches in cancer treatment.