MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of non-coding RNA, which have recently been shown 
to have a wide variety of regulatory functions in relation to gene expression. 
Since their identification nearly 20 years ago, miRNAs have been found to play 
an important role in cancer, including in neurofibromatosis type 1 
(NF1)-associated tumours. NF1 is the most commonly inherited tumour 
predisposition syndrome and can lead to malignancy via the development of 
malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumours (MPNSTs). Although the mechanisms by 
which benign neurofibromas develop into MPNSTs still remain to be elucidated, it 
is becoming increasingly clear that miRNAs play a key role in this process and 
have the potential to be used as both diagnostic and prognostic markers of 
tumorigenesis.