Unravelling the multi-faceted roles of microRNAs in non-apoptotic regulated cell death (RCD) to improve cancer therapy.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that orchestrate post-transcriptional gene regulation and govern critical cellular processes. Their dysregulation in cancer is intimately associated with tumor progression and metastasis. Concurrently, regulated cell death (RCD), particularly non-apoptotic forms, has emerged as a vital target for cancer therapy due to its ability to bypass apoptosis resistance. Growing evidence indicates that miRNAs modulate non-apoptotic RCD by functioning as tumor suppressors or oncogenes. Consequently, miRNA-based interventions may synergize with chemotherapy and immunotherapy to improve therapeutic outcomes. Furthermore, miRNAs possess significant potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. In this review, we summarize recent advances in elucidating the complex interplay between miRNAs and non-apoptotic RCD in cancer. We also discuss how dissecting miRNA-mediated regulatory networks can facilitate the discovery of novel cancer biomarkers and therapeutic targets.