Targeting miR-10b in Breast Cancer Bone Colonization Model Using Image-Guided Nucleic Acid-Based Therapeutics

Abstract

Simple Summary The majority of cancer-related deaths result from metastatic disease rather than the primary tumor. Bone is the predominant site of distant metastasis in breast cancer and represents one of the greatest clinical challenges, affecting up to 70% of patients with advanced disease. Studies from several laboratories, including our own, have demonstrated that small molecules within cancer cells called microRNAs (miRs) play critical roles in the initiation and progression of metastasis by regulating tumor cell invasion and growth. Therefore, therapeutic inhibition of metastasis-promoting miRNAs could lead to an effective and persistent regression and possibly elimination of metastases in breast cancer patients. In this study, we demonstrated the therapeutic efficacy of targeting miR-10b in a preclinical breast cancer bone colonization model. We hope that these results will facilitate the translation of miR-10b-targeted therapies into clinic and ultimately lead to more effective treatment options for patients with metastatic breast cancer.