Journal Article

MicroRNAs in Uterine Leiomyosarcoma: From Molecular Mechanisms to Clinical Applications

Kourti, Areti, Makedou, Kali, Georgiou, Elisavet, Kalogiannidis, Ioannis

2025

Overview

Uterine leiomyosarcoma (uLMS) is a rare, highly aggressive malignancy of uterine smooth muscle, associated with early metastasis, frequent recurrence, and poor prognosis. Accurate preoperative diagnosis remains difficult given that clinical and radiologic features often overlap with benign leiomyomas, and no reliable biomarkers are currently available. This review summarizes recent evidence on the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in the biology and clinical management of uLMS. Literature from molecular and translational studies was examined to identify dysregulated miRNAs, their target pathways, and potential diagnostic and therapeutic applications. uLMS displays a characteristic miRNA profile, including downregulation of tumor-suppressive miRNAs such as the miR-29 and miR-200 families and upregulation of oncogenic miRNAs including miR-21 and the miR-183~96~182 cluster, leading to activation of PI3K/AKT/mTOR signaling and epithelial–mesenchymal transition (EMT). Circulating and tissue miRNAs show promise as minimally invasive biomarkers for differentiating uLMS from leiomyomas, predicting prognosis, and guiding therapy. Emerging therapeutic approaches aim to restore the tumor-suppressive miRNAs or inhibit oncogenic ones using mimics or antagomiRs. Overall miRNAs represent critical regulators of uLMS pathogenesis and hold significant potential for precision diagnosis, prognostication, and targeted therapy, though larger validation studies and improved delivery systems are required before clinical translation.

• Publisher: MDPI AG,Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (MDPI)
• Subject: Animals / Biomarkers / Biomarkers, Tumor - genetics / Cell cycle / Cell growth / Development and progression / DNA methylation / DNA repair / Epigenetics / Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition - genetics / Female / Fibroids / Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / Genes / Health aspects / Humans / Leiomyosarcoma / Leiomyosarcoma - diagnosis / Leiomyosarcoma - genetics / Leiomyosarcoma - metabolism / Leiomyosarcoma - pathology / Leiomyosarcoma - therapy / Magnetic resonance imaging / Medical diagnosis / Medical prognosis / Metastasis / MicroRNA / MicroRNAs / MicroRNAs - genetics / MicroRNAs - metabolism / Mutation / Pathophysiology / Pazopanib / Prognosis / Review / Risk factors / Signal Transduction / Smooth muscle / Stem cells / Technology application / Tumors / Ultrasonic imaging / Uterine Neoplasms - diagnosis / Uterine Neoplasms - genetics / Uterine Neoplasms - metabolism / Uterine Neoplasms - pathology / Uterine Neoplasms - therapy