Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) is a diverse class of hematological cancers, many of which arise from germinal center (GC)-experienced B cells. Thus GCs, the sites of antibody affinity maturation triggered during immune responses, also provide an environment that facilitates B cell oncogenic transformation. miRNAs provide attractive and mechanistically different strategies to treat these malignancies based on their potential for simultaneous modulation of multiple targets. Here, we discuss the scientific rationale for miRNA-based therapeutics in B cell neoplasias and review recent advances that may help establish a basis for novel candidate miRNA-based therapies for B cell-NHL (B-NHL).
miRNA-Based Therapies in B-NHLLymphomas arise from the neoplastic transformation of either T or B lymphocytes. About 95% of all human lymphomas originate in B cells, rather than T cells, and most of them (75-85%) arise from mature B cells that are germinal center (GC, see Glossary) experienced [1]. GCs are unique structures in which Ig genes are remodeled and are thus essential for the generation of high-affinity antibodies required for a proficient immune response. The production of highaffinity antibodies entails the introduction of mutations and DNA double-strand breaks in Ig genes and thus increases the risk of generating oncogenic events in mature B cells that transit through the GC [2,3]. Mature B cell neoplasia underlies the vast majority of lymphocyte-derived cancers, including most B-NHLs, such as diffuse large B cell lymphomas (DLBCLs), follicular lymphoma (FL), Burkitt lymphoma (BL), multiple myeloma (MM), and B cell chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) [4]. It is estimated that B-NHL affects 1.3 million people worldwide [Global Cancer Observatory (GCO), World Health Organization i ].While some types of B-NHL progress relatively slowly and are considered indolent cancers, about 60% of them, including BL and DLBCL, are aggressive and require immediate intervention [1]. In general, the main treatments for mature B-NHL are chemotherapy, immunochemotherapy, and radiation therapy; however, a significant fraction of these cancers are refractory to these interventions or relapse after treatment [1,5]. There is therefore an urgent need for alternative therapeutic strategies to replace or complement current approaches. Advances in knowledge of the molecular mechanisms underlying lymphomagenesis have led to the design of promising new drugs that target specific genes and proteins involved in neoplasia development or maintenance. Clinically available strategies targeting B-NHL currently include: (i) immunotherapy with celldirected monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy; and (ii) signal transduction inhibitors, including proteasome inhibitors, histone deacetylase (HDAC) inhibitors, and B cell receptor (BCR) signaling kinase inhibitors [6]. The availability of targeted therapies has improved treatment options for certain B cell neoplasias in some patients. However, current targeted therapies have important ...