The Role of miRNA-21 in the Metastasis of Hepatocellular Carcinoma as a Therapeutic Target

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a crucial health concern worldwide, representing a leading cause of cancer-related mortality and the most common form of primary liver cancer. The aggressive nature of HCC is mainly due to its high tendency for invasion and metastasis, processes regulated by a complex network of genetic and molecular pathways. Among the critical regulators of these processes is microRNA-21 (miR-21), a small non-coding RNA that implicated in various oncogenic activities. This review provides a comprehensive analysis of the role of miR-21 in promoting HCC metastasis, with a particular focus on its interaction with key signaling pathways, including the PTEN/PI3K/AKT, PDCD4/AP-1, RECK/MMP, and TIMP-3 axes. By targeting tumor suppressors, miR-21 facilitates epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT), invasion, and metastasis of HCC cells. Understanding the molecular mechanisms regulated by miR-21 not only sheds light on the pathogenesis of HCC but also highlights potential therapeutic targets for combating this aggressive cancer.