Emerging role of microRNAs in cancer stem cells: Implications in cancer therapy

Table 2 Targeting cancer stem cells with specific microRNAs as a potential combinational therapeutic strategy in human cancer

Co-delivery of microRNAs/anti-cancer drug	Biological functions	Cancer type	Ref.
Oncogenic microRNAs
miR-9/temozolomide	Inhibit the expression of drug efflux transporter, P-glycoprotein	Glioblastoma multiforme	[39]
miR-21/metformin, 5-Fluorouracil and Oxaliplatin	Target Wnt/β-catenin	Colon cancer	[38]
miR-125b/temozolomide	Target PIAS3, which contributes to reduced STAT3 transcriptional activity and subsequent decreased expression of MMP-2 and -9	Glioblastoma	[40]
miR-125b/temozolomide	Target pro-apoptotic Bcl-2 antagonist killer 1 and sensitize CSCs to temozolomide induced apoptosis	Glioblastoma	[76]
Tumor suppressor microRNAs
miR-612/cisplatin, 5-Fluorouracil	Target Wnt/β-catenin, regulate EMT and inhibit cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and metastasis	Liver cancer	[48]
miR-205/gemcitabine	Decreased tumor cell population and increased apoptosis	Pancreatic cancer	[42]
miR-200c/docetaxel	Reduced TUBB3 level, and reversed EMT	Gastric cancer	[43]
miR-146a/cetuximab	Target Numb to stabilize β-catenin, regulate EMT, direct ACD-to-SCD switch	Colorectal cancer	[77]
miR-145/metformin, 5-Fluorouracil and Oxaliplatin	Target Wnt/β-catenin	Colon cancer	[38]
miR-34 family/5-Fluorouracil	Repression of c-Kit by p53	Colorectal cancer	[45]
miR-34a/doxorubicin	Target Notch1 and reduce cancer stem cell properties	Breast cancer	[44]

STAT: Signal transducer and activator of transcription; PIAS3: Protein inhibitor of activated STAT; MMP: Matrix metalloproteinase; ACD: Asymmetrical cell division; SCD: Symmetrical cell division; EMT: Epitheilal-to-mesencymal transition; CSC: Cancer stem cell; MMP: Matrix metalloproteinase; TUBB3: Tubulin beta class III.