MicroRNAs at the Crossroad between Immunoediting and Oncogenic Drivers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma
Treatments aimed to reverse the tumor-induced immune tolerance represent a promising approach for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Notwithstanding, primary nonresponse, early, and late disease reactivation still represent major clinical challenges. Here, we focused on microRNAs (miRNAs) acti...
| Main Authors: | , , , |
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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MDPI AG
2022-07-01
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| Series: | Biomolecules |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/12/7/930 |
| _version_ | 1797407330879406080 |
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| author | Laura Gramantieri Francesca Fornari Catia Giovannini Davide Trerè |
| author_facet | Laura Gramantieri Francesca Fornari Catia Giovannini Davide Trerè |
| author_sort | Laura Gramantieri |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Treatments aimed to reverse the tumor-induced immune tolerance represent a promising approach for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Notwithstanding, primary nonresponse, early, and late disease reactivation still represent major clinical challenges. Here, we focused on microRNAs (miRNAs) acting both as modulators of cancer cell hallmarks and immune system response. We outlined the bidirectional function that some oncogenic miRNAs play in the differentiation and program activation of the immune system development and, at the same time, in the progression of HCC. Indeed, the multifaceted spectrum of miRNA targets allows the modulation of both immune-associated factors and oncogenic or tumor suppressor drivers at the same time. Understanding the molecular changes contributing to disease onset, progression, and resistance to treatments might help to identify possible novel biomarkers for selecting patient subgroups, and to design combined tailored treatments to potentiate antitumor approaches. Preliminary findings seem to argue in favor of a bidirectional function of some miRNAs, which enact an effective modulation of molecular pathways driving oncogenic and immune-skipping phenotypes associated with cancer aggressiveness. The identification of these miRNAs and the characterization of their ‘dual’ role might help to unravel novel biomarkers identifying those patients more likely to respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors and to identify possible therapeutic targets with both antitumor and immunomodulatory functions. In the present review, we will focus on the restricted panel of miRNAs playing a bidirectional role in HCC, influencing oncogenic and immune-related pathways at once. Even though this field is still poorly investigated in HCC, it might represent a source of candidate molecules acting as both biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the setting of immune-based treatments. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:39:48Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-c97b1b5c106049ff98ae4fbec745ff17 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 2218-273X |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-09T03:39:48Z |
| publishDate | 2022-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Biomolecules |
| spelling | doaj.art-c97b1b5c106049ff98ae4fbec745ff172023-12-03T14:43:25ZengMDPI AGBiomolecules2218-273X2022-07-0112793010.3390/biom12070930MicroRNAs at the Crossroad between Immunoediting and Oncogenic Drivers in Hepatocellular CarcinomaLaura Gramantieri0Francesca Fornari1Catia Giovannini2Davide Trerè3Division of Internal Medicine, Hepatobiliary and Immunoallergic Diseases, IRCCS Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria di Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyDepartment for Life Quality Studies (QuVi), University of Bologna, 47921 Rimini, ItalyCentre for Applied Biomedical Research—CRBA, University of Bologna, IRCCS St. Orsola Hospital, 40138 Bologna, ItalyDepartment of Experimental, Diagnostic and Specialty Medicine (DIMES), University of Bologna, 40138 Bologna, ItalyTreatments aimed to reverse the tumor-induced immune tolerance represent a promising approach for advanced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Notwithstanding, primary nonresponse, early, and late disease reactivation still represent major clinical challenges. Here, we focused on microRNAs (miRNAs) acting both as modulators of cancer cell hallmarks and immune system response. We outlined the bidirectional function that some oncogenic miRNAs play in the differentiation and program activation of the immune system development and, at the same time, in the progression of HCC. Indeed, the multifaceted spectrum of miRNA targets allows the modulation of both immune-associated factors and oncogenic or tumor suppressor drivers at the same time. Understanding the molecular changes contributing to disease onset, progression, and resistance to treatments might help to identify possible novel biomarkers for selecting patient subgroups, and to design combined tailored treatments to potentiate antitumor approaches. Preliminary findings seem to argue in favor of a bidirectional function of some miRNAs, which enact an effective modulation of molecular pathways driving oncogenic and immune-skipping phenotypes associated with cancer aggressiveness. The identification of these miRNAs and the characterization of their ‘dual’ role might help to unravel novel biomarkers identifying those patients more likely to respond to immune checkpoint inhibitors and to identify possible therapeutic targets with both antitumor and immunomodulatory functions. In the present review, we will focus on the restricted panel of miRNAs playing a bidirectional role in HCC, influencing oncogenic and immune-related pathways at once. Even though this field is still poorly investigated in HCC, it might represent a source of candidate molecules acting as both biomarkers and therapeutic targets in the setting of immune-based treatments.https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/12/7/930HCCmicroRNAbiomarkersimmune system |
| spellingShingle | Laura Gramantieri Francesca Fornari Catia Giovannini Davide Trerè MicroRNAs at the Crossroad between Immunoediting and Oncogenic Drivers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma Biomolecules HCC microRNA biomarkers immune system |
| title | MicroRNAs at the Crossroad between Immunoediting and Oncogenic Drivers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma |
| title_full | MicroRNAs at the Crossroad between Immunoediting and Oncogenic Drivers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma |
| title_fullStr | MicroRNAs at the Crossroad between Immunoediting and Oncogenic Drivers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma |
| title_full_unstemmed | MicroRNAs at the Crossroad between Immunoediting and Oncogenic Drivers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma |
| title_short | MicroRNAs at the Crossroad between Immunoediting and Oncogenic Drivers in Hepatocellular Carcinoma |
| title_sort | micrornas at the crossroad between immunoediting and oncogenic drivers in hepatocellular carcinoma |
| topic | HCC microRNA biomarkers immune system |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2218-273X/12/7/930 |
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