{
  "abstract": "Purpose: This review aims to summarize the expression patterns, molecular mechanisms, and preclinical nanodelivery strategies of microRNA-26 (miR-26) family members, and to critically evaluate their potential as biomarker candidates and preclinical therapeutic targets in human diseases, including cancers, cardiovascular diseases, metabolic disorders, and neurodegenerative conditions.\n\nMethods: A structured narrative review was performed in PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar from database inception to August 2026. Peer-reviewed original articles and reviews in English were included. Data on miR-26 isoform expression, target genes, signaling pathways, therapeutic modulators, and nanocarrier systems were extracted and narratively synthesized. A four-tier evidence classification system (Levels I–IV) was applied to distinguish well-established findings from speculative or inferred associations.\n\nResults: miR-26 family members—predominantly miR-26a-5p and miR-26b-5p—are highly conserved small non-coding RNAs that post-transcriptionally regulate proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, metabolism, and immunity in an isoform-specific and context-dependent manner. In most solid tumors, miR-26a-5p and miR-26b-5p are downregulated and function as tumor suppressors, although context-dependent oncogenic roles exist. Circulating and tissue miR-26 isoform levels show statistically significant associations with diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response in several cancers, supporting their utility as biomarker candidates. However, direct miR-26 mimics or inhibitors remain exclusively preclinical, with no human clinical trials initiated to date. Lipid-, polymer-, and inorganic-based nanocarriers are being explored in preclinical models, but their precision, safety, and biodistribution require systematic validation. Clinical-stage agents targeting downstream effectors of miR-26-regulated pathways do not constitute direct miR-26 modulation and should not be presented as miR-26 therapeutics.\n\nConclusion: miR-26 family members serve as versatile regulatory hubs and biologically plausible biomarker and preclinical therapeutic target candidates. At present, miR-26 should be viewed primarily as a validated biomarker associate and a promising preclinical target—not as an established therapeutic modality. CRISPRa, microbiome–miR-26 interactions, and AI-assisted nanorobots remain future hypotheses rather than established translational strategies.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Neurosurgery, The Affiliated Hospital, Inner Mongolia Medical University, Hohhot, 010050, People’s Republic of China",
    "Inner Mongolia Medical College Graduate School (Jinshan Campus), Jinshan Economic and Technological Development Zone, Tuzuo Banner, Hohhot, Inner Mongolia, 010110, People’s Republic of China",
    "Cancer Research Center, Beijing Chest Hospital, Capital Medical University, Beijing, 101149, People’s Republic of China"
  ],
  "article_type": "review article",
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 6,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Ruijun Wang"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Rile Ge",
      "orcid": "0009-0008-8251-0165"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Zhiqi Li"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Zhanbiao He"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Yuanming Pan",
      "orcid": "0000-0001-8050-8047"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Xiangdong Zhao"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d26428p7yx5wh.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.2147/ijn.s642611",
  "fulltext_url": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC13729877/",
  "id": "d26428p7yx5wh",
  "issns": [
    "1176-9114",
    "1178-2013"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://doi.org/10.2147/ijn.s642611",
  "language": "en",
  "licence": "CC-BY-NC-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY-NC 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "heading",
      "Review"
    ],
    [
      "openalex",
      "1306|MicroRNA in disease regulation"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7224527591",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.dovepress.com/article/download/121568",
  "pmcid": "PMC13729877",
  "pmid": "42979497",
  "published": "2026-10-30",
  "publisher": "Dove Press",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d26428p7yx5wh.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-11-07T12:22:36Z",
      "native_id": "PMC13729877",
      "source": "pmc",
      "url": "https://doi.org/10.2147/ijn.s642611"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:1306|MicroRNA in disease regulation",
      "subfield": "oncology"
    }
  ],
  "title": "MicroRNA-26 Family in Human Diseases: Context-Dependent Regulation, Biomarker Potential, and Preclinical Nano-Delivery Strategies",
  "title_text": "MicroRNA-26 Family in Human Diseases: Context-Dependent Regulation, Biomarker Potential, and Preclinical Nano-Delivery Strategies",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-11-07T12:22:36Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/d26428p7yx5wh",
  "venue": "International Journal of Nanomedicine",
  "versions": []
}