Circulating microRNAs: macro-utility as markers of prostate cancer?

Abstract

The realization that microRNAs (miRNAs) are frequently deregulated in malignancy has had a major impact on cancer research. In particular, the recent finding that highly stable forms of miRNAs can be accurately measured in body fluids, including blood, has generated considerable excitement. Here, we discuss the potential of blood-based circulating miRNAs as diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers of prostate cancer. We also describe practical considerations that may influence identification and/or measurement of miRNA biomarkers in the circulation. Finally, evidence is prevented for the emerging concept that circulating miRNAs are actively released by their cells of origin and can modulate gene expression at distal sites. These mobile miRNAs, which we term 'hormomirs' because of their hormone-like characteristics, could act as local or long-range signals to maintain normal homeostasis or influence the development and progression of diseases such as cancer.

Human seminal fluid as a source of prostate cancer-specific microRNA biomarkers

“…1C, and data not shown). A number of miRNAs, including miR-200 family members and miR-375, have been identified as candidate PCa biomarkers in previous studies of PCa tissues and body fluids (Selth et al 2012), suggesting that the data were robust and biologically relevant.…”

“…Aberrant microRNA (miRNA) expression is a common feature of many diseases, including PCa (Selth et al 2012), and there has been widespread interest in the diagnostic, prognostic and predictive potential of these molecules. Recent focus has shifted towards circulating miRNAs, which can be sourced from minimally invasive samples, such as serum, plasma and urine, and show promise as biomarkers for PCa (Sapre & Selth 2013).…”

WITHDRAWN: Expression profiles and biological implications of plasma miRNAs associated with chronic myeloid leukemia phases

“…MicroRNA-seq is an effective technique in miRNA identification, and in particular, microRNA-seq also has the notable advantage of distinguishing among unknown RNA species that would not be detected by microarray [21,22]. However, it is less frequently used due to the increased starting material requirements and costly expense.…”

A ZEB1-miR-375-YAP1 pathway regulates epithelial plasticity in prostate cancer

“…4 In addition to these transcription factors, more recent work has found that microRNAs (miRNAs, miRs), small, non-coding regulators of gene expression, are critical regulators of epithelial plasticity. 11,12 MiR-375 has been described as a robust biomarker of prostate cancer, both within the tumor and in circulation, 13 but its molecular function has remained largely uncharacterized in this disease. Here we demonstrate that miR-375 occupies a nexus between Zinc finger E-box binding homeobox 1 (ZEB1) and Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1) in a novel pathway that regulates epithelial plasticity and tumor cell invasion in prostate cancer, and provide new insight into the association between circulating miR-375 and metastasis.…”