Identification of colorectal cancer associated biomarkers: an integrated analysis of miRNA expression

Abstract

Colorectal cancer is one of the leading causes of cancer-related deaths worldwide. This complex disease still holds severe problems concerning diagnosis due to the high invasiveness nature of colonoscopy and the low accuracy of the alternative diagnostic methods. Additionally, patient heterogeneity even within the same stage is not properly reflected in the current stratification system. This scenario highlights the need for new biomarkers to improve non-invasive screenings and clinical management of patients. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as good candidate biomarkers in cancer as they are stable molecules, easily measurable and detected in body fluids thus allowing for non-invasive diagnosis and/or prognosis. In this study, we performed an integrated analysis first using 4 different datasets (discovery cohorts) to identify miRNAs associated with colorectal cancer development, unveil their role in this disease by identifying putative targets and regulatory networks and investigate their ability to serve as biomarkers. We have identified 26 differentially expressed miRNAs which interact with frequently deregulated genes known to participate in commonly altered pathways in colorectal cancer. Most of these miRNAs have high diagnostic power, and their prognostic potential is evidenced by panels of 5 miRNAs able to predict the outcome of stage II and III colorectal cancer patients. Notably, 8 miRNAs were validated in three additional independent cohorts (validation cohorts) including a plasma cohort thus reinforcing the value of miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers.

Comprehensive analysis of the potential cuproptosis-related biomarker LIAS that regulates prognosis and immunotherapy of pan-cancers

“…The aberrant alternations of genes may affect the cancer pathogenesis and therapeutic response, resulting in cancer progression. Oncogenes and cancer suppressor genes exert opposite effects on the pathological process of cancers ( 1 , 2 ). The exploration of cancer-associated genes and signaling pathways could be beneficial to the diagnose and clinical therapy of most cancers.…”

Functional role of miR-34a in diabetes and frailty

“…Indeed, diabetes leads to a higher risk of cardiovascular complications and functional and physical impairment driving adverse outcomes (Fadini and Avogaro, 2010;Prattichizzo et al, 2018;Yun et al, 2018;Jarvie et al, 2019;Yu et al, 2019;Gulsin et al, 2020). microRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that act as post-transcriptional gene regulators (Ambros, 2004;Krol et al, 2010;Santulli, 2015;Ferrante and Conti, 2017;Fridrichova and Zmetakova, 2019;Stavast and Erkeland, 2019;Mone et al, 2021b;Mone et al, Forthcoming 2022c); miRNAs exert their activity in many biological processes and have been proposed as biomarkers and therapeutic strategies (Creemers et al, 2012;Wronska et al, 2015;Barwari et al, 2016;Chen et al, 2018;Wong et al, 2018;Mone et al, 2021b;Fonseca et al, 2021;Mone et al, Forthcoming 2022c). Many miRNAs have been associated to mitochondrial dysfunction, inflammation, and oxidative stress and their concentration may vary in physiological conditions (Zhang et al, 2014;Hathaway et al, 2018;Wei et al, 2018;Rusanova et al, 2019;Song et al, 2019;Gambardella et al, Forthcoming 2022).…”

MicroRNAs: Novel players in the diagnosis and treatment of cancer cachexia (Review)

“…miR-182-5p, miR-183-5p, miR-21-5p, the miR-200 family, miR-7-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-96-5p, miR-139-5p, miR-99a-5p, miR-497-5p and miR-486-5p have been found to be altered in breast cancer (BC) (48). A total of 26 differentially expressed miRNAs were found to interact with frequently deregulated genes known to be involved in colorectal cancer pathways (49). The majority of these miRNAs could predict the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer in stages II and III (49).…”

“…A total of 26 differentially expressed miRNAs were found to interact with frequently deregulated genes known to be involved in colorectal cancer pathways (49). The majority of these miRNAs could predict the prognosis of patients with colorectal cancer in stages II and III (49). It has been demonstrated that miRNAs can be used for the early detection of oral cancer (50).…”