Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41226828›Full record

ReviewInternational journal of molecular sciences2025

MicroRNAs as Emerging Therapeutic Targets Modulating the Tumor Microenvironment in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Roxana Daniela Brata, Lavinia Marcut, Alina Cristina Barb, Alexia Manole, Alexandru Ciolofan, Cristina Stefania Dumitru, Flavia Zara, Raul Patrascu

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in International journal of molecular sciences, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 6 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
6citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

6 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Review
  5. Article
  6. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

8 authors.

Roxana Daniela BrataDepartment of Medical Disciplines, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania.
Lavinia MarcutDepartment of Surgical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410073 Oradea, Romania.
Alina Cristina BarbDepartment II of Microscopic Morphology, Discipline of Histology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.
Alexia ManoleFaculty of Medicine and Pharmacy, University of Oradea, 410087 Oradea, Romania.ORCID 0009-0005-3410-3870
Alexandru CiolofanDepartment IX, Discipline of Surgical Semiology I, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.ORCID 0009-0003-4923-2371
Cristina Stefania DumitruDepartment II of Microscopic Morphology, Discipline of Histology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.ORCID 0000-0001-8933-3060
Flavia ZaraDepartment II of Microscopic Morphology, Discipline of Histology, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy Timisoara, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.ORCID 0000-0002-5755-179X
Raul PatrascuDepartment of Functional Sciences, Victor Babes University of Medicine and Pharmacy, 300041 Timisoara, Romania.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) remains one of the most aggressive solid tumors, characterized by marked molecular heterogeneity and a complex tumor microenvironment (TME). Recent evidence highlights the pivotal role of microRNAs (miRNAs) in regulating tumor progression, immune evasion, angiogenesis, and stromal remodeling. This review synthesizes current insights into miRNA-mediated molecular pathways that modulate the TME in HNSCC and discusses emerging therapeutic strategies, including nanocarrier- and exosome-based miRNA delivery systems, targeting these molecules. Key miRNAs, including miR-21, miR-146a, and miR-221, orchestrate bidirectional signaling between cancer cells, fibroblasts, and immune infiltrates, thereby shaping tumor aggressiveness and therapy resistance. Advances in nanotechnology have facilitated the development of miRNA-based therapeutics-such as mimics, antagomiRs, and exosome-mediated systems-capable of restoring physiological expression patterns and reprogramming the TME toward an anti-tumor state. However, clinical translation remains hindered by challenges in targeted delivery, molecular stability, and tumor heterogeneity. By integrating molecular and translational perspectives, this review underscores how miRNA-targeting strategies may evolve into a new generation of precision therapies, bridging the gap between molecular oncology and personalized treatment of head and neck cancer.

Indexed as

Head and Neck NeoplasmsMicroRNAsSquamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and NeckTumor MicroenvironmentAnimalsExosomesGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansMicroRNAsexosomeshead and neck cancerimmune modulationmicroRNAnanotherapytherapeutic targetstumor microenvironment

Identifiers

PMID41226828
PMCPMC12609678

What Socratic holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the Socratic graph.