MicroRNAs and Alarmins in Cardio-Oncology: Biomarkers and Therapeutic Implications in Skin and Breast Cancer
7 affiliations
- 1Institute of Translational Pharmacology (IFT), National Research Council of Italy (CNR), 00133 Rome, Italy
- 2Laboratory of Molecular Regenerative Medicine, Istituto Dermopatico dell’Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, 00167 Rome, Italy
- 3Unit of Cardiology, Istituto Dermopatico dell’Immacolata, IDI-IRCCS, 00167 Rome, Italy
- 4Department of Internal Medicine, Anaesthesiology and Cardiovascular Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, 00161 Rome, Italy
- 5Complex Operating Unit of Paediatrics and Neonatal Care, Spoke Hospital of Corigliano-Rossano, 87064 Cosenza, Italy
- 6Dipartimento di Promozione delle Scienze Umane e della Qualità della Vita, San Raffaele University of Rome, 00166 Rome, Italy
- 7Laboratorio di Patologia Cellulare e Molecolare, IRCCS San Raffaele Roma, 00166 Rome, Italy
Abstract
Cardio-oncology explores the complex interplay between cancer biology and cardiovascular health, particularly the cardiotoxic effects of cancer therapies. Both microRNAs (miRNAs) and alarmins have emerged as key molecular mediators linking tumor progression and cardiac stress, representing promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In skin and breast cancer, specific miRNAs, including miR-21, miR-155, miR-34a, and the miR-200 family, regulate tumor proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Alarmins such as NPM, HMGB1, HSPs, IL-33, and S100 proteins modulate inflammatory signaling, oxidative stress, and tissue remodeling, contributing to both tumor progression and cardiomyocyte dysfunction. These molecules are also implicated in chemotherapy- and targeted therapy-induced cardiotoxicity, including apoptosis, fibrosis, and impaired cardiac function. This review highlights the dual role of miRNAs and alarmins in tumor biology and cardiovascular toxicity, emphasizing their potential as circulating biomarkers for early detection and monitoring. Therapeutic strategies targeting this axis—including miRNA mimics/inhibitors and alarmin modulators—may provide synergistic benefits by reducing cardiotoxicity while suppressing tumor growth. Understanding miRNA–alarmin relationships, including direct interactions such as the NPM/miR-200c axis, as well as their broader regulatory networks in cardio-oncology, offers novel avenues for precision medicine, enabling integrated approaches to monitor, prevent, and treat therapy-related cardiac complications in patients with skin and breast cancers.
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BibTeX
@article{cannistra2026micrornas,
title = {{MicroRNAs and Alarmins in Cardio-Oncology: Biomarkers and Therapeutic Implications in Skin and Breast Cancer}},
author = {Federica Cannistrà and Sara Sileno and Francesco Cribari and Marco D’Agostino and Francesco Martino and Francesco Morrone and Guido Melillo and Federica Limana and Alessandra Magenta},
journal = {International Journal of Molecular Sciences},
year = {2026},
month = sep,
doi = {10.3390/ijms27188329},
url = {https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/18/8329},
note = {CC BY 4.0},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - MicroRNAs and Alarmins in Cardio-Oncology: Biomarkers and Therapeutic Implications in Skin and Breast Cancer
AU - Federica Cannistrà
AU - Sara Sileno
AU - Francesco Cribari
AU - Marco D’Agostino
AU - Francesco Martino
AU - Francesco Morrone
AU - Guido Melillo
AU - Federica Limana
AU - Alessandra Magenta
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/09/19
JO - International Journal of Molecular Sciences
DO - 10.3390/ijms27188329
UR - https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/27/18/8329
AB - Cardio-oncology explores the complex interplay between cancer biology and cardiovascular health, particularly the cardiotoxic effects of cancer therapies. Both microRNAs (miRNAs) and alarmins have emerged as key molecular mediators linking tumor progression and cardiac stress, representing promising biomarkers and therapeutic targets. In skin and breast cancer, specific miRNAs, including miR-21, miR-155, miR-34a, and the miR-200 family, regulate tumor proliferation, invasion, metastasis, and therapy resistance. Alarmins such as NPM, HMGB1, HSPs, IL-33, and S100 proteins modulate inflammatory signaling, oxidative stress, and tissue remodeling, contributing to both tumor progression and cardiomyocyte dysfunction. These molecules are also implicated in chemotherapy- and targeted therapy-induced cardiotoxicity, including apoptosis, fibrosis, and impaired cardiac function. This review highlights the dual role of miRNAs and alarmins in tumor biology and cardiovascular toxicity, emphasizing their potential as circulating biomarkers for early detection and monitoring. Therapeutic strategies targeting this axis—including miRNA mimics/inhibitors and alarmin modulators—may provide synergistic benefits by reducing cardiotoxicity while suppressing tumor growth. Understanding miRNA–alarmin relationships, including direct interactions such as the NPM/miR-200c axis, as well as their broader regulatory networks in cardio-oncology, offers novel avenues for precision medicine, enabling integrated approaches to monitor, prevent, and treat therapy-related cardiac complications in patients with skin and breast cancers.
SN - 1422-0067
ER -