Inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), which encompasses Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis, is a chronic inflammatory condition associated with an increased risk of colorectal cancer (CRC). Small RNAs have 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.
Keywords: colorectal cancer; diagnosis; inflammatory bowel disease; prognosis; small RNA; therapy.