miR-221/222 as biomarkers and targets for therapeutic intervention on cancer and other diseases: A systematic review

Among deregulated microRNAs (miRs) in human malignancies, miR-221 has been widely investigated for its oncogenic role and as a promising biomarker. Moreover, recent evidence suggests miR-221 as a fine-tuner of chronic liver injury and inflammation-related events. Available information also supports the potential of miR-221 silencing as promising therapeutic intervention. In this systematic review, we selected papers from the principal databases (PubMed, MedLine, Medscape, ASCO, ESMO) between January 2012 and December 2020, using the keywords “miR-221” and the specific keywords related to the most important hematologic and solid malignancies, and some non-malignant diseases, to define and characterize deregulated miR-221 as a valuable therapeutic target in the modern vision of molecular medicine. We found a major role of miR-221 in this view. [Display omitted] miR-221 is an oncomiR of promising diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic relevance. The progress of miR therapeutics has been ascribed to increased stability of engineered molecules. Presently, beyond the antitumoral activity of the novel LNA-i-miR-221, the major novelty could reside in chemoprevention, opening an avenue for ncRNAs as reverser of premalignant processes.