A Novel Urinary miRNA Biomarker for Early Detection of Colorectal Cancer

Abstract

Since noninvasive biomarkers as an alternative to invasive colonoscopy to detect colorectal cancer (CRC) are desired, we conducted this study to determine the urinary biomarker consisting of microRNAs (miRNAs). In total, 415 age- and sex-matched participants, including 206 patients with CRC and 209 healthy controls (HCs), were randomly divided into three groups: (1) the discovery cohort (CRC, n = 3; HC, n = 6); (2) the training cohort (140 pairs); and (3) the validation cohort (63 pairs). Among 11 urinary miRNAs with aberrant expressions between the two groups, miR-129-1-3p and miR-566 were significantly independent biomarkers that detect CRC. The panel consisting of two miRNAs could distinguish patients with CRC from HC participants with an area under the curve (AUC) = 0.811 in the training cohort. This panel showed good efficacy with an AUC = 0.868 in the validation cohort. This urinary biomarker combining miR-129-1-3p and miR-566 could detect even stage 0/I CRC effectively with an AUC = 0.845. Moreover, the expression levels of both miR-129-1-3p and miR-566 were significantly higher in primary tumor tissues than in adjacent normal tissue. Our established novel biomarker consisting of urinary miR-129-1-3p and miR-566 enables noninvasive and early detection of CRC.

Extracellular Nucleic Acids in the Diagnosis and Progression of Colorectal Cancer

“…One of the first large-scale salivary miRNA characterizations in CRC samples has proposed a panel of five miRNAs (miR-186-5p, miR-29a-3p, miR-29c-3p, miR-766-3p, and miR-491-5p) (from 22 miRNAs showing dysregulated patterns), enabling discrimination of CRC patients from healthy controls with a sensitivity of 72% and a specificity of 67% [ 129 ]. Urinary miR-129-1-3p and miR-566 have been suggested as biomarkers for early CRC [ 130 ].…”

Ten-Year Recurrence Outcomes in Early Stage and Early Onset Colon Cancer and the Expression Profiles of MicroRNAs and Cancer Stem Cell Markers in These Tumors

“…6 Recent findings indicate that the role of the abnormal expression of miRNAs is related to the regula- tion of CSC properties, such as asymmetric cell division, tumorigenicity, and drug resistance. 7,8 CSCs usually share specific stemness-related markers, such as CD44 and CD133, but they can differ depending on the cancer type. Early studies showed that miR-34a suppressed prostate CSCs and metastasis by directly repressing CD44.…”

“…4 SOX2, involved in the induction of pluripotent stem cells, is associated with poor prognosis in cancer tissue. 8 Emerging evidence suggests that CD133, LGR5 and SOX2 may be involved in tumor maintenance, therapy resistance, tumor progression, and recurrence in colorectal cancer. Despite their potential clinical significance, how intrinsic CSC properties are regulated at the molecular level needs to be better understood.…”

Translation of nutrigenomic research for personalised and precision nutrition for cancer prevention and for cancer survivors

“…There is growing interest in using less invasive methods that are based on urine, blood, and stool for detecting biomarkers of cancer risk. For example, faecal [ 138 ] and urinary [ 139 ] miRNA, including miR-21, miR-92a , miR-139-1-3p and miR-566, have been identified as potential biomarkers for colorectal adenomas (precursors of CRC) and CRC. Different dietary patterns (e.g., omnivores v. vegetarians) are associated with differential expression of miRNAs and these have been associated with abundances of microbial species such as Roseburia sp.…”