Emerging role of small RNAs in inflammatory bowel disease and associated colorectal cancer - Review

Sep 21, 2026

Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), including Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, are chronic inflammatory disorders linked to elevated colorectal cancer (CRC) risk. Small RNAs are associated with both IBD and CRC and may function as biomarkers to support diagnosis, prognosis, and investigation of new therapies. Current oral nucleic-acid approaches remain impractical due to gastrointestinal instability, limited tissue targeting, and adverse effects. Nanoparticle or exosome delivery systems can overcome gastrointestinal instability and improve targeting. This review discusses small RNA biogenesis and their roles in IBD and CRC pathogenesis, focusing on diagnostic and prognostic biomarker potential and therapeutic implications.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages29

Reading Time1 h 13 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

From IBD pathogenesis to cancer

Biogenesis of small RNAs

Small RNA modifications

Role of small RNAs in IBD and CRC

Small RNAs as biomarkers in IBD and CRC

Role of small RNAs in immuno-oncology

Nanoparticle-mediated treatment approach in IBD and CRC

Limitations of the study of IBD and CRC

Conclusions and future directions

INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF MOLECULAR MEDICINE 55: 33, 2025 Emerging role of small RNAs in inflammatory bowel disease and associated colorectal cancer (Review) WEI QIU 1* , FRANCIS ATIMAKANYIBAH2* , YUXUAN XIA2 , DICKSON KOFI WIREDU OCANSEY2,3 , FEI MAO2 and YUELAN LIANG4 1Department of Laboratory Medicine, Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital Group Suqian Hospital, Suqian, Jiangsu 223800, P.R. China; 2Key Laboratory of Medical Science and Laboratory Medicine of Jiangsu Province, School of Medicine, Jiangsu University, Zhenjiang, Jiangsu 212013, P.R. China; 3Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Allied Health Sciences, College of Health and Allied Sciences, University of Cape Coast, Cape Coast CC0959347, Ghana; 4Department of Laboratory Medicine, Suzhou Wuzhong People's Hospital, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215128, P.R. China Received May 23, 2024; Accepted December 5, 2024 DOI: 10.3892/ijmm.2024.5474 Abstract. Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), which encom‑ passes Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic inflammatory condition associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Small RNAshave been linked to various illnesses, including IBD and CRC. These small RNAs also serve as potential biomarkers for these diseases, offering a cutting‑edge approach to investigating possible treatments. To date, treatments involving oral nucleic acid usage are still unachievable due to the instability of medications in the gastrointestinal tract (GIT), their lack of ability to effectively target disease tissues and their notable adverse effects. However, nanoparticle or exosome delivery systems of nucleic acid medications effectively target disease tissues by overcoming the instability of the GIT, resulting in an effective outcome. In the present review, the biogenesis of small RNAs (tRNA‑derived small RNA, microRNA, small nucleolar RNA and p‑element‑induced wimpy testis‑interacting RNA), their roles in the pathogenesis of IBD and CRC as well as their application as possible diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in IBD and CRC are discussed. Contents 1. Introduction 2. From IBD pathogenesis to cancer 3. Biogenesis of small RNAs Correspondence to: Dr Yuelan Liang, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Suzhou Wuzhong People's Hospital, 61 Dongwu North Road, Wuzhong, Suzhou, Jiangsu 215128, P.R. China E‑mail: CE*Contributed equally Key words: colorectal cancer, diagnosis, inflammatory bowel disease, prognosis, small RNA, therapy 4. Small RNA modifications 5. Role of small RNAs in IBD and CRC 6. Small RNAs as biomarkers in IBD and CRC 7. Role of small RNAs in immuno‑oncology 8. Nanoparticle‑mediated treatment approach in IBD and CRC 9. Limitations of the study of IBD and CRC 10. Conclusions and future directions 1. Introduction Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), which include Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis (UC), are chronic inflammatory illnesses of the gut (1) that are associated with high levels of intestinal epithelial cell (IEC) mortality, which weakens the gut barrier, activates immune cells and causes further IEC death (2) . IBD is believed to be significantly influenced by the immune system, gut microbiota and genetic makeup of patients (3) . Depending on the disease location, type and intensity, symptoms can include bleeding, diarrhea, abdominal pain, fever and weight loss (4) . The burden of IBD is expected to increase due to aging and population expansion until 2050, which highlights the need to address the changing public health concern that IBD poses (5) . Despite recent declines in the prevalence of colorectal cancer (CRC), patients with IBDs are more likely to develop CRC (6). Globally, CRC accounts for the second highest incidence of cancer cases and ranks third in terms of cancer‑related death (7) . In 2020, 1,931,590 new cases of CRC were reported, with 935,173 deaths (8) . The evolution of neoplastic lesions is fueled by chronic inflammation, which can lead to dyspl

FAQs

What links inflammatory bowel disease to colorectal cancer risk?

Inflammatory bowel diseases are chronic gut inflammation associated with increased likelihood of developing colorectal cancer. Chronic inflammation can drive neoplastic evolution toward dysplastic precursor lesions.

Why are small RNAs important in IBD and CRC?

Small RNAs are connected to molecular pathways involved in IBD and CRC, and accumulated evidence suggests they are essential in CRC development and spread. They may also contribute to regulatory events linked to cancer and inflammation.

How can nucleic-acid therapies be delivered more effectively for IBD and CRC?

Oral nucleic-acid treatment is difficult because of instability in the gastrointestinal tract and limited targeting. Nanoparticle- or exosome-based delivery systems can improve targeting to disease tissues by overcoming gastrointestinal instability.

Sep 21, 2026

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