Effects of microRNA on the growth and targeted therapy response on lung cancer

Abstract Lung cancer represents a significant public health concern worldwide. Lung cancer typically receives a diagnosis at a late stage, leading to a generally unfavourable prognosis. Additionally, traditional treatments frequently fail in cases of metastatic lung cancer. However, targeted therapy has advanced considerably in the management of lung cancer, and overcoming drug resistance has emerged as a significant hurdle in achieving optimal treatment outcomes. As a result, there has been a new trend toward precision therapy for lung cancer based on changes at the molecular and genetic levels. On the other hand, for lung cancer, early diagnosis plays a crucial role in treatment and prognosis. Based on existing knowledge, we strongly believe that it is imperative to promptly identify innovative biomarkers. The emergence of microRNAs (miRNAs) provides new ideas. The expression profiles of miRNAs have been investigated using noninvasive blood samples to explore the regulatory mechanisms played by miRNAs during the progression and targeted therapy resistance of lung cancer. Due to the complexity of miRNA profiles, they may play the role of tumour suppressors or oncogenes. However, specific regulatory mechanisms are still a huge topic to be explored. In this Review, we summarize the latest research that has shed light on the potential regulatory mechanisms of miRNAs in driving lung cancer progression, their value for clinical application as biomarkers and their role in targeted therapy resistance.