The study, published today in the journal Molecular Therapy—Nucleic Acids, demonstrates the effectiveness of a combination of 11 different non-coding RNAs, known as microRNAs (miRNAs), in slowing the growth of cancer cells and enhancing the activity of chemotherapeutic drugs. Tests were carried out on patient-derived cells and on preclinical models. Further validation steps will be required for medical use of the compound.

The protocol was developed by the Neurobiology of microRNA Laboratory of IIT, coordinated by Principal Investigator Davide De Pietri Tonelli. The study also involved researchers from IIT’s Nanotechnology for Precision Medicine Laboratory, led by Paolo Decuzzi, the IIT Analytical Chemistry Laboratory, the University of Genoa and the IRCCS Policlinico San Martino.