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Review
. 2025 May;20(10):1181-1194.
doi: 10.1080/17435889.2025.2492542. Epub 2025 Apr 15.

MicroRNA-targeted nanoparticle delivery systems for cancer therapy: current status and future prospects

Yang Lou  1 , Yutian Wang  1 , Juan Lu  1 , Xi Chen  1
Affiliations
Review

MicroRNA-targeted nanoparticle delivery systems for cancer therapy: current status and future prospects

Yang Lou et al. Nanomedicine (Lond). 2025 May.

Abstract

Recently, the regulatory effects of microRNAs (miRNAs) on gene expression have been exploited for applications in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer, neurological diseases, and cardiovascular diseases. However, the susceptibility of miRNAs to degradation during somatic circulation and the challenges associated with their delivery to target tissues and cells have limited the clinical application of miRNAs. For application in tumor therapy, it is essential for miRNAs to specifically target cancer cells. Therefore, various novel miRNA delivery systems that protect miRNA against the activity of serum nuclease and deliver miRNA to target cells have been developed and optimized. This review introduces the passive and active targeting strategies of nanoparticles, summarizes the recent progress of miRNA nanocarriers with tumor-targeting ability, and discusses various nanoparticle delivery systems and their antitumor applications. Additionally, this review focuses on the translational challenges and potential strategies for advancing miRNA-based therapies into the clinic.

Keywords: cancer; microRNA; microRNA delivery; nanoparticles; therapy.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors have no relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript. This includes employment, consultancies, honoraria, stock ownership or options, expert testimony, grants or patents received or pending, or royalties.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

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