The role of microRNAs in the pathophysiology of adrenal tumors

•Canonical miRNAs promote translational repression by binding on to its target.•Unique miRNA expression patterns were found in benign and malignant adrenal tumors.•Distinct miRNAs identified in adrenal tumors still need further functional analysis.•MicroRNAs are a novel class of therapeutics in adrenal disease.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expression in a sequence-specific manner. Due to its association with an assortment of diseases, miRNAs have been extensively studied in the last decade. In this review, the current understanding of the role of miRNAs in the pathophysiology of adrenal tumors is discussed. The recent contributions of high-throughput miRNA profiling studies have identified miRNAs that have functional and molecular roles in adrenal tumorigenesis. With respect to the biological heterogeneity of adrenal tumors and the limitations of the current treatments, an improved understanding of miRNAs may hold potential diagnostic and therapeutic value to facilitate better clinical management.