OBJECTIVEThis overview seeked to bring together the microRNA (miRNA) researches on biogenesis and bio-function in these areas of clinical diagnosis and therapy for malignant glioma.

DATA SOURCESUsing the keyword terms "glioma" and "miRNA," we performed the literature search in PubMed, Ovid, and web.metstr.com databases from their inception to October 2014.

STUDY SELECTIONIn screening out the quality of the articles, factors such as clinical setting of the study, the size of clinical samples were taken into consideration. Animal studied for verification and reviews article were also included in our data collection.

RESULTSDespite many advance in miRNA for malignant glioma, further studies were still required to focus on the following aspects: (i) Improving the understanding about biogenesis of miRNA and up-down regulation; (ii) utilizing high-throughput miRNA expression analysis to screen out the core miRNA for glioma; (iii) Focusing related miRNAs on the signal transduction pathways that regulate the proliferation and growth of glioma.

CONCLUSIONSWe discussed the most promising miRNA, correlative signaling pathway and their relation with gliomas in the way of prompting miRNA target into being a clinical therapeutic strategy.