A potential role for miRNAs in topical drug development.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding regulatory RNAs demonstrated to play a role in regulating diverse physiologic and pathologic processes in humans. The understanding of their role in dermatologic disorders has been rapidly expanding, and technological advances in the field of small RNA therapeutics have provided a window into the possibilities for using our understanding of miRNA activities as a stepping-stone to treating a variety of skin diseases. The topical immunomodulator diphenylcyclopropenone (DPCP) has been used for the treatment of skin cancers and alopecia areata and represents one of many drug targets with potential for manipulation of miRNA pathways to enhance clinical efficacy. By exploring the miRNA pathways involved in specific skin diseases and the miRNAs impacted by drug treatments, investigators will discover new ways to treat skin disease and improve preexisting therapies.