Context-dependent roles of microRNA-21 in oral medicine: Established oncogenic relevance in OSCC and emerging regenerative potential in MRONJ.

Authors

Teresa Vicidomini, Ilaria Giovannacci, Carlo Galli, Simone Sprio, Anna Tampieri, Marco Meleti, Paolo Vescovi

Published in

Archives of oral biology. Volume 192. Pages 106772. Sep 30, 2026. Epub Sep 30, 2026.

Abstract

To critically examine the context-dependent role of microRNA-21 (miR-21) in medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMDs), and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), focusing on its biological functions, biomarker potential, therapeutic implications, and translational challenges.
A narrative literature search was conducted in PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science from database inception to September 2026. Experimental, preclinical, clinical, and evidence-synthesis studies addressing the biological and clinical significance of miR-21 across regenerative and oncogenic oral contexts were considered.
miR-21 showed context-dependent effects supported by different evidence bases. In MRONJ, emerging preclinical evidence suggests that miR-21 restoration may counteract antiresorptive-induced osteoclast dysfunction and support bone regeneration. By contrast, broader experimental and clinical evidence supports its oncogenic relevance in OPMDs and OSCC, where overexpression promotes tumor progression and therapeutic resistance. Evidence also supports its diagnostic and prognostic potential, although its clinical utility as a standalone biomarker remains limited. These opposing effects raise safety concerns regarding regenerative miR-21 supplementation, particularly in oncologically susceptible tissues and in patients receiving antiresorptive therapy for skeletal metastatic disease.
Current evidence supports an asymmetric, context-dependent framework: miR-21 restoration in MRONJ remains an emerging preclinical regenerative strategy, whereas its oncogenic relevance in OPMDs and OSCC has a broader evidence base. Clinical translation requires tissue-specific, controlled modulation and careful consideration of oncological risk.

PMID:
42826621
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 03 Oct 2026.

Read full publication at:
Please sign in to see all details.

Stats

1-terrible, 9-excellent. How would you rate this publication? Sign in in to submit your rating.

Post a comment

You need to be signed in to post comments. You can sign in here.

Comments

There are no comments yet.