Involvement of microRNAs and their potential diagnostic, therapeutic, and prognostic role in hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 85%–90% of primary liver cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non‐coding RNAs that regulate gene expression by targeting the 3′UTR of mRNA. Abnormal expression and regulation of miRNAs are involved in the occurrence and progression of HCC, and miRNAs can also play a role in the diagnosis and treatment of HCC as oncogenes or tumor suppressors. METHODS: In the past decades, a large number of studies have shown that miRNAs play an essential regulatory role in HCC and have potential as biomarkers for HCC. We reviewed the literature to summarize these studies. RESULTS: By reviewing the literature, we retrospected the roles of miRNAs in the development, diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis of HCC, and put forward prospects for the further research on miRNAs in the precision treatment of HCC. CONCLUSION: MicroRNAs are important regulators and biomarkers in the occurrence, progression, outcome, and treatment of HCC, and can provide new targets and strategies for improving the therapeutic effect of HCC.