Research progress of MicroRNA in lung cancer

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally and play essential roles in proliferation, metabolism, stress responses, and apoptosis. Lung cancer (LC) remains one of the most common and lethal malignancies worldwide, with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) accounting for about 80% of cases. Although advances in diagnosis and treatment have been made, clinical management is still challenged by drug resistance, metastasis, and treatment-related complications, and overall survival has only modestly improved. Accumulating evidence shows that dysregulated miRNA expression is closely linked to LC initiation and progression. miRNAs are involved in tumor growth, dissemination, and therapeutic responses, highlighting their potential as biomarkers for early detection, prognosis, and treatment prediction. Furthermore, strategies to modulate miRNA expression are emerging as promising therapeutic approaches. This review summarizes recent progress on miRNAs in LC, emphasizing their classification, interactions with signaling pathways, and translational potential in clinical applications, including diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy.