Circulating biomarkers for detection of ovarian cancer and predicting cancer outcomes

Abstract

Background:Securing a diagnosis of ovarian cancer and establishing means to predict outcomes to therapeutics remain formidable clinical challenges. Early diagnosis is particularly important since survival rates are markedly improved if tumour is detected early.Methods:Comprehensive miRNA profiles were generated on presurgical plasma samples from 42 women with confirmed serous epithelial ovarian cancer, 36 women diagnosed with a benign neoplasm, and 23 comparably age-matched women with no known pelvic mass.Results:Twenty-two miRNAs were differentially expressed between healthy controls and the ovarian cancer group (P<0.05), while a six miRNA profile subset distinguished presurgical plasma from benign and ovarian cancer patients. There were also significant differences in miRNA profiles in presurgical plasma from women diagnosed with ovarian cancer who had short overall survival when compared to women with long overall survival (P<0.05).Conclusion:Our preliminary data support the utility of circulating plasma miRNAs to distinguish women with ovarian cancer from those with a benign mass and identify women likely to benefit from currently available treatment for serous epithelial ovarian cancer from those who may not.

Upregulation of miR-520b promotes ovarian cancer growth

“…Deregulation or dysfunction of miRNAs contribute to cancer development (7)(8)(9)(10)(11)(12). A number of miRNAs have been identified as highly up-or downregulated in ovarian cancer (13)(14)(15)(16)(17)(18)(19). However, their roles in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer remain unclear, and whether other miRNAs may be involved in the pathogenesis of ovarian cancer remains unknown.…”

A novel serum microRNA panel to discriminate benign from malignant ovarian disease

“…However, Most of these studies have been performed on ovarian tissue samples. Recent studies have demonstrated that microRNAs are circulating freely in serum and other body fluids in a highly stable, cell-free form [22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29]. Circulating microRNAs are highly tissue specific that can identify origin of metastasis and can be used as non-invasive biomarkers for cancers [22,30,31].…”

Circulating biomarkers in epithelial ovarian cancer diagnosis: from present to future perspective

“…By investigating 42 OC patients, 36 women diagnosed with a benign neoplasm and 23 healthy controls, Shapira et al defined a 22-miRs profile to distinguish between OC and healthy controls and a 6-miRs profile to distinguish benign and OC patients (105).…”