MicroRNA Functions and Potential Clinical Utility in Glioblastoma

A flurry of recent research has established that microRNAs have fundamental roles in the biology of the aggressive brain tumor, glioblastoma multiforme. MicroRNAs function in multiple hallmark biological characteristics of glioblastoma, including cell proliferation, invasion, glioma stem cell behavior, and angiogenesis as well as sensitivity to conventional therapies. Many of these microRNAs intersect with key pathways in glioblastoma, indicating their importance in the disease. MicroRNAs also have prognostic potential, may be useful biomarkers and can be used to define subclasses of glioblastoma. MicroRNAs have also shown therapeutic activity in preclinical cancer models.