Circulating MicroRNAs as Blood-Based Cancer Biomarkers: Diagnostic and Screening Potential
This review examines the evidence for circulating cell-free miRNAs as non-invasive cancer biomarkers, covering their biological basis as master regulators of cellular processes and the mechanisms leading to their deregulation in tumors. The authors assess diagnostic and prognostic utility of cf-miRNA signatures and their potential application in population-level cancer screening programs.
The original study
Circulating Cancer Biomarkers: The Macro-revolution of the Micro-RNA.
- Authors
- Montani F, Bianchi F
- Journal
- EBioMedicine
- Type
- Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't, Review
- PMID
- 27077096
Original abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that act as master regulators of many cellular processes. The expression of miRNAs is often deregulated in human tumors, causing the alteration of molecular mechanisms relevant for cancer progression. Importantly, miRNAs are detectable in the blood and their quantity fluctuations are the hallmark of pathogenic conditions, including cancer. Several groups reported the identification of circulating cell-free miRNAs (cf-miRNAs) in the human serum and plasma and demonstrated their diagnostic and prognostic utility. Other studies also shown that it may be feasible to apply such cf-miRNA signatures within screening programs in order to improve cancer early detection. Circulating cf-miRNAs therefore appear to be excellent candidates for blood-borne cancer biomarkers.