The Role of MicroRNA in Prostate Cancer: A Review Based on Nigerian Population

Abstract

Background: Prostate cancer is a major killer among men worldwide, hitting Nigeria especially hard with late diagnoses and fast-spreading tumours. MicroRNAs such as miR-21, miR-141, miR-375, and miR-221/222 play central roles in driving cancer growth and spread by fine-tuning gene expression. Beyond the limitations of PSA blood tests, exciting new tools, liquid biopsies, exosome analysis, and AI-powered multi-omics are making early detection, risk assessment, and treatment tracking more feasible, even in resource-poor settings like ours. Aims: This review pulls together what we know about miR-21’s role in prostate cancer, from how it fuels the disease to its promise as a clinical tool, focusing on Nigeria while spotlighting related miRNAs and cutting-edge diagnostics. Methodology: We searched PubMed, Scopus, Google Scholar, Web of Science, and AJOL for studies from 2000–2025 on miR-21 in prostate cancer, prioritizing Nigerian data on its expression, function, and biomarker value. We also reviewed complementary miRNAs (miR-141, miR-375) and innovations like nanoparticle detection and AI biomarker panels. Outcomes and Findings: miR-21 is consistently elevated in prostate tumours, blood exosomes, and urine, strongly linking to higher Gleason scores, advanced stages, lymph node spread, cancer returning after treatment, and worse survival. In Nigerian men, it stands out as a marker of aggressive disease, outperforming PSA alone. Pairing it with miR-141 (for metastasis) and miR-375 (for hormone-resistant growth) creates stronger diagnostic panels. Tools like liquid biopsy, digital PCR, and nanosensors offer affordable, non-invasive testing perfect for low-resource clinics. Discussion and Conclusion: miR-21 offers real hope as an accessible biomarker for diagnosing, predicting outcomes, and monitoring treatment in Nigeria, especially when combined with other miRNAs, exosome tech, and AI analytics. Bringing it into routine care could transform early detection and survival in Africa’s high-burden settings, but we need large-scale trials to confirm this.