The number of deaths caused by cancer is expected to increase partly due to the lack of selectivity and undesirable systemic effects of current treatments. Advances in the understanding of microRNA (miRNA) functions and the ideal properties of nanosystems have brought increasing attention to the application of nanomedicine to cancer therapy. This review covers the different miRNA therapeutic strategies and delivery challenges for its application in cancer medicine. Current trends in inorganic, polymeric and lipid nanocarrier development for miRNA replacement or inhibition are summarized. To achieve clinical success, in-depth knowledge of the effects of the promotion or inhibition of specific miRNAs is required. To establish the dose and the length of treatment, it will be necessary to study the duration of gene silencing. Additionally, efforts should be made to develop specifically targeted delivery systems to cancer cells to reduce doses and unwanted effects. In the near future, the combination of miRNAs with other therapeutic approaches is likely to play an important role in addressing the heterogeneity of cancer.

预期由癌症引起的死亡人数将部分增加，这是由于缺乏选择性和当前疗法的不良系统性作用。在对microRNA（miRNA）功能和纳米系统的理想特性的理解上的进步已引起人们对纳米药物在癌症治疗中的应用的日益关注。这篇综述涵盖了其在癌症医学中的应用的不同miRNA治疗策略和递送挑战。总结了替代，抑制miRNA的无机，聚合物和脂质纳米载体发展的当前趋势。为了获得临床成功，需要深入了解特定miRNA的促进或抑制作用。为了确定剂量和治疗时间，有必要研究基因沉默的持续时间。此外，应该努力开发针对癌细胞的靶向系统，以减少剂量和不良影响。在不久的将来，miRNA与其他治疗方法的结合可能会在解决癌症的异质性方面发挥重要作用。