MicroRNAs in glioblastoma multiforme: Profiling studies and therapeutic impacts

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most lethal primary brain tumor and is characterized by a poor prognosis, resistance to standard therapies, and a highly mutated tumor genome. It is therefore critical to identify new molecular targets that contribute to GBM pathogenesis in order to develop novel targeted therapeutic and diagnostic strategies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) represent an emerging class of molecules that play significant roles in a number of key cellular processes associated with GBM. This review summarizes the results of recent studies that have attempted to profile the miRNA expression signatures of GBM. Additionally, this review highlights the downstream effectors and activities of key oncogenic or tumor suppressive miRNAs in GBM and describes some promising therapeutic, diagnostic, and prognostic strategies involving miRNAs.