Tabriz University of Medical Sciences BioImpacts 2228-5652 15 1 2025 01 19 Ambivalent roles of miRNAs in cancer development via modulating tumor-associated innate immune cells 31430 31430 10.34172/bi.31430 EN Bahar Naseri https://orcid.org/0009-0008-9557-9188 Amirhossein Mardi https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5305-6364 Najibeh Shekari https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3139-1035 Neda Shajari https://orcid.org/0009-0005-8060-0472 Samin Abdolzadeh Hossein Khorramdelazad Amirhossein Hatami-Sadr Milad Taghizadeh Anvar Mohammad Reza Javan Amirhossein Heibatollahi Javad Masoumi https://orcid.org/0009-0001-6592-0866 Farid Ghorbaninezhad https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0175-204X Behzad Baradaran https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8642-6795 Journal Article 10.34172/bi.31430 2025 06 01 2025 09 06 The tumor microenvironment (TME), comprising malignant and non-transformed cells like immune cells, endothelial cells, and cancer-associated fibroblasts, significantly affects tumor growth and progression. Tumor cells manipulate the TME by releasing chemokines and inhibitory cytokines, reprogramming surrounding cells to support their survival and evade immune detection. Innate immune cells within the TME play dual roles, either promoting or inhibiting tumor progression, impacting immunotherapy outcomes. Recent studies highlight the influence of innate immune cells in shaping the TME and the pivotal role of tumor-derived microRNAs (miRNAs) in modulating these cells. miRNAs regulate gene expression and enhance tumor immune evasion, angiogenesis, drug resistance, and invasion. Their tumor-specific expression patterns suggest potential as biomarkers and therapeutic targets. This study focuses on how miRNAs affect innate immune cells like macrophages, dendritic cells, myeloid-derived suppressor cells, and natural killer cells, contributing to immunosuppressive or immunogenic environments. Understanding miRNA-mediated interactions between cancer and immune cells opens new possibilities for improving targeted immunotherapy and advancing cancer treatments.