Diagnostic relevance of circulating cell-free and exosomal microRNAs and long non-coding RNAs in blood of cancer patients

作者：Schwarzenbach Heidi

来源：Journal of Laboratory Medicine, 2016, 40(5): 345-353.

DOI：10.1515/labmed-2016-0033

<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) belong to a large group of non-coding RNA (ncRNA) molecules that possess diverse functions in epigenetic and chromatin structure modifications. In particular, they post-transcriptionally inhibit the protein expression of their target mRNAs and therefore, are involved in different tumor-associated signaling pathways. As the expression of both ncRNAs is frequently dysregulated in cancer and shows unique signatures, they may play a crucial role in cancer pathogenesis. They are passively and actively released into the blood circulation, and accordingly, their plasma/serum and exosomal profiles reflect disease development, tumor load and malignant progression towards metastatic relapse. Considering the biology and nature of ncRNAs in the regulation of different cellular processes, they may have potential clinical utility as blood-based tumor markers and future therapeutic targets in the treatment of cancer patients. The present review focuses on the diagnostic value of cell-free and exosomal ncRNAs in plasma/serum of cancer patients and the challenges to establish them as future tumor markers.</jats:p>

• 出版日期2016-10