Mayara Oliveira Ruthes

Neuroblastoma is a heterogeneous pediatric malignancy with marked molecular diversity and variable clinical behavior. Although current risk stratification incorporates clinical and genomic factors, additional biomarkers are needed to improve tumor characterization and advance precision oncology. The present study investigated the expression of miR-141-3p, miR-150-5p, miR-181a-5p, and miR-182-5p and their predicted target genes in pediatric neuroblastoma. Tumor samples from 58 neuroblastoma and 13 ganglioneuroma patients were compared with 41 adjacent non-tumor tissues, while an independent cohort of 17 frozen tumors (13 neuroblastomas and 4 ganglioneuroblastomas) was used for integrated miRNA–target gene analyses. Diagnostic performance, functional enrichment, integrated analyses, and clinicopathological associations were evaluated. All four miRNAs were predominantly downregulated in tumors, with miR-150-5p and miR-181a-5p showing the most consistent reduction. A combined panel of miR-141-3p, miR-150-5p, and miR-181a-5p discriminated tumor from adjacent non-tumor tissues with 80.7% accuracy. miR-141-3p and miR-150-5p were associated with age at diagnosis, and miR-181a-5p was associated with overall survival. Functional enrichment implicated these miRNAs in neural crest development, stemness, neuronal differentiation, and major oncogenic pathways. Integrated analyses revealed reduced BCL2 expression in high-risk tumors and a positive correlation between miR-181a-5p and MYCN. These findings support these miRNAs as complementary molecular biomarkers and provide insights into miRNA-mediated regulatory networks in neuroblastoma.

Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is characterized by marked clinical and molecular heterogeneity, which underlies the limited success of currently available targeted therapies and results in most patients relying on cytotoxic chemotherapy. This therapeutic gap underscores the pressing need for novel therapeutic approaches, in which non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) have emerged as promising candidates. In this systematic review, 35 pre-clinical studies published between 2020 and 2025 were analyzed to evaluate the therapeutic potential of targeting ncRNAs in TNBC, including miRNAs, lncRNAs, and circRNAs. The original articles employed in vivo tumor models to assess the therapeutic response of ncRNA expression modulation, using miRNA mimics, antagomiRs, ASOs, shRNAs, and siRNAs integrated into advanced targeted delivery systems, such as nanoparticles and exosomes. According to the selected studies, 28 specific ncRNAs were identified as actionable molecular targets. Modulation of these molecules consistently resulted in tumor growth suppression, metastasis inhibition, and restoration of sensitivity to standard chemotherapeutic agents. Collectively, the pre-clinical evidence presented in these studies positions ncRNA-based therapies as innovative, promising, and potentially effective strategies for advancing TNBC treatment.