Beyond the ceiling
A critical analysis of microRNA research in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma and a roadmap forward.
Gluud M, Vadivel CK, Namini MRJ, Zeng Z, Yan L, Ahmad S, Bonefeld CM, Geisler C, Gjerdrum LR, Guenova E, Buus TB, Litman T, Ødum N
Journal of Investigative DermatologyIn the feed 1 Sep 2026, published online 1 Sep 2026, issue 2026 Sep 01, added to PubMed 1 Sep 2026
Topics: Skin cancer & tumors
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been studied in cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (CTCL) for more than 15 years, revealing oncogenic and tumor-suppressive networks, the JAK/STAT-miRNA signaling circuit, diagnostic classifiers, and therapeutic miRNA targeting (Cobomarsen, targeting miRNA-155). Yet, no miRNA diagnostic has reached clinical practice. We synthesize the CTCL miRNA literature and argue that translation has stalled as a result of 2 interrelated limitations-methodological and biological-including reliance on bulk-tissue profiling and the intrinsic miRNA biology, including modest regulation of multiple pathways. Future strategies encompassing single-cell and subclone profiling, targeted anti-miRNA delivery, multiomics integration, miRNA network remodeling, multicenter validation, and artificial intelligence-driven bioinformatics may herald a golden renaissance for miRNAs.
Abstract from PubMed
PMID 42678334 · DOI 10.1016/j.jid.2026.07.022