MicroRNAs as biomarkers of kidney damage in onconephrology patients

  • L. Korol State Institution “O.O. Shalimov National Scientific Centre for Surgery and Transplantology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine,” Kyiv, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5484-0326
  • M. Kolesnyk State Institution “O.O. Shalimov National Scientific Centre for Surgery and Transplantology of the National Academy of Medical Sciences of Ukraine,” Kyiv, Ukraine https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6658-3729
  • I. Shuba Educational and Scientific Institute of High Technologies, Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Kyiv, Ukraine
DOI: https://doi.org/10.31450/ukrjnd.1(89).2026.09
Keywords: miRNА, biomarkers, stress, kidney damage, onconephrology patients.

Abstract

This article discusses the significance of microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers of kidney injury in onconephrology patients, including individuals with renal cell carcinoma (RCC), metastatic kidney involvement, and patients receiving chemotherapy, targeted therapy, or immunotherapy. The aim of the study was to summarise current evidence on miRNAs as biomarkers of kidney damage in oncology patients. Based on a review of publications from 2020 to 2025, we analysed the association between miRNA profiles and key mechanisms of renal injury. Specific groups of miRNAs associated with acute kidney injury (AKI), progression of chronic kidney disease (CKD), nephrotoxicity (particularly related to cisplatin, targeted agents, and immunotherapy), as well as tumour activity and the RCC microenvironment were identified. We also outline the potential utility of miRNA assessment in cancer patients after kidney transplantation for predicting allograft dysfunction, assessing the risk of RCC recurrence in the transplanted kidney, and differentiating between rejection and recurrence of the primary disease. The clinical relevance of miRNA testing is highlighted, including non-invasive diagnostic markers (urine/plasma), evaluation of tumour prognosis and aggressiveness, and prediction of response to anti-VEGF therapy and immunotherapy. Finally, we discuss the prospects of developing multimarker stress-indicator miRNA panels for early AKI detection, CKD progression risk stratification, nephrotoxicity monitoring, and optimisation of management in onconephrology patients.

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2026-02-24
How to Cite
Korol, L., Kolesnyk, M., & Shuba, I. (2026). MicroRNAs as biomarkers of kidney damage in onconephrology patients. Ukrainian Journal of Nephrology and Dialysis, (1(89), 75-93. https://doi.org/10.31450/ukrjnd.1(89).2026.09
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No 1(89) (2026): Ukrainian Journal of Nephrology and Dialysis
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