MicroRNA networks in prolactinoma tumorigenesis: a scoping review

Abstract

Background Prolactinoma is the leading type of pituitary adenoma. Aside from the mass-like effect of prolactinoma, its hormonal effect is the main pathological cause of endocrine dysregulation and infertility. The dopamine agonist administration and surgical resection are the current mainstream anti-neoplastic treatments for affected patients; however, tumor fibrosis, tumor invasion, dopamine agonist resistance, and gain prolactinomas are clinical challenges for treating affected patients. Therefore, there is a need to develop novel treatments for these patients. Although growing evidence has highlighted the significance of dysregulated microRNA (miRNA) expression in various malignancies, no study has systematically investigated the significance of miRNA networks and their therapeutic potential in prolactinoma. For this aim, the current scoping review was performed according to the systematic reviews and meta-analyses extension for scoping reviews (PRISMA-ScR) guideline. Main body The systematic study on PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Embase databases has shown that miR-200c, miR-217, miR-93a, miR-93, miR-1299, and miR-9 are the oncogenic miRNAs and miR-137, miR-145-5p, miR-197-3p, miR-29a-3p, miR-489, miR-199a-5p, miR-124, miR-212, miR-129-5p, miR-130a-3p, miR-326, miR-432, miR-548c-3p, miR-570, miR-15, miR-16, miR-26a, miR-196a2, and let-7a are tumor-suppressive miRNAs in prolactinoma tumorigenesis. Conclusion In summary, inhibiting the oncogenic miRNAs and ectopic expression of tumor-suppressive miRNAs can decrease prolactin secretion, reduce tumor invasion and migration, enhance dopamine agonist efficacy, and inhibit prolactinoma development. These findings can serve as a blueprint for future translational studies investigating miR-based therapeutics for prolactinoma. Graphical Abstract