By virtue of having multiple targets, a microRNA (miRNA) can have variable effects on oncogenesis by acting as tumor suppressor
or oncogene in a context-dependent manner. Genome-wide epigenetic changes that occur in various cancers affect the transcription
of many genes. Since the transcriptional regulation of miRNAs remains an unexplored field, it is still unknown how epigenetic
changes will affect the regulation of miRNAs. Many miRNAs are intron-bound within the body of a protein-coding gene. Any change
to the transcription of the “host” gene affects the transcription and genesis of the resident miRNA. It is therefore reasonable
to deduce that epigenetic changes brought on by transformation can potentially affect miRNA expression in both direct and
indirect ways. We have reviewed the literature pertaining to the epigenetic regulation of miRNA genes in the context of various
cancers and have speculated on the potential role of epigenetic modifications on the transcriptional regulation and expression
of these genes.