Insights into the mechanisms of microRNAs in hepatoblastoma: from diagnosis to treatment

Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common malignant liver tumor in children. Early diagnosis and effective treatment are crucial for improving the prognosis of children with HB. In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs), an important class of noncoding RNA molecules, have been increasingly recognized for their key regulatory roles in the occurrence, development, and treatment of HB. This review systematically reviews the expression characteristics, molecular mechanisms, and potential application value of miRNAs in the diagnosis and treatment of HB. Research indicates that the interaction network between miRNAs and long noncoding RNAs and circular RNAs has a significant effect on the development of HBs. miRNAs regulate signaling pathways, such as the Wnt/β-catenin, mitogen-activated protein kinase, phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B, and Janus kinase 2/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 pathways, and also play critical roles in the biological behavior of HBs. Furthermore, the progress of preclinical research on miRNAs as biomarkers and therapeutic targets provides new ideas and directions for precision medicine in HB. Finally, this article looks forward to the future development directions of miRNAs in precision medicine for HBs, emphasizing their important potential in improving diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy.