Tumor suppressor MiRNAs in bladder tumors: From preclinical research to therapeutic applications

Bladder cancer (BC) is a prevalent malignancy among men, and its occurrence is increasing. BC exhibits a significant recurrence rate, approximately 60%, even after treatments such as transurethral resection of bladder tumor or intravesical chemotherapy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs), including both oncogenic and tumor suppressor miRNAs, have been identified as the main mediators of diverse cellular processes within cancerous conditions. Various preclinical investigations have revealed the antioncogenic properties of tumor suppressor miRNAs in human BC, involving the inhibition of cell growth, invasiveness, and promotion of apoptotic cell death, attained by targeting oncogenes or specific signaling molecules. These findings suggest that manipulating oncogenes through the use of miRNA mimics offers a new and potentially effective therapeutic strategy for managing BC. This review summarizes an overview of various preclinical research and clinical trials associated with tumor suppressor miRNAs, emphasizing detailed mechanisms for modulating specific genes and disease pathways, while also discussing their diagnostic potential in human BC.