Long non-coding RNAs LOC285194, RP11-462C24.1 and Nbla12061 in serum provide a new approach for distinguishing patients with colorectal cancer from healthy controls

Abstract

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is currently the most prevalent malignant cancer worldwide. However, there is a lack of efficient biomarkers for CRC screening. Accumulating evidence reveals that long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) detectable in serum are associated with the genesis and development of various types of cancer. Therefore, we examined the diagnostic ability of lncRNAs in blood samples from patients with CRC by evaluating the levels of 17 CRC- or gastrointestinal cancer-related lncRNAs in serum samples from 71 CRC patients and 70 healthy individuals using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). We detected 13 lncRNAs in serum, three of which displayed significantly different levels between CRC patients and healthy controls. A three-lncRNA signature (LOC285194, RP11-462C24.1 and Nbla12061) identified via stepwise regression analysis showed potential as a diagnostic marker for CRC. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of this signature for distinguishing CRC patients from healthy individuals was 0.793 (95% CI: 0.709 to 0.861). The diagnostic ability of this marker was much higher than that of conventional blood biomarkers such as carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), carbohydrate antigen 199 (CA199), carbohydrate antigen 125 (CA125) and carbohydrate antigen 724 (CA724). Combining this novel marker with conventional biomarkers produced even greater diagnostic ability. Furthermore, the levels of the three lncRNAs decreased after the patients underwent surgical resection. The results of this study suggest an additional marker for CRC screening and provide new directions for further investigation.

Diagnosis, prognosis and bioinformatics analysis of lncRNAs in hepatocellular carcinoma

“…At the same time, we detected the cell supernatant and found several detectable lncRNAs. There were also many reports indicating that lncRNAs were detectable in the blood [ 31 , 32 ]. Therefore, we performed screening in the serum of HCC patients, non-cancer patients and healthy individuals to comprehensively and systematically explore the function and value of lncRNAs in HCC.…”

Long non-coding RNAs in renal cell carcinoma: A systematic review and clinical implications

“…The technique for detection and measurement of specific serum lncRNAs has become feasible, which provides a new method without invasiveness for the identification of new biomarker for cancer. Recent studies found that serum lncRNAs are useful for the diagnosis of multiple types of cancer, such as bladder cancer [ 69 ], liver cancer [ 70 ], cervical cancer [ 71 ], gastric cancer [ 72 ], colorectal cancer [ 73 , 74 ] and breast cancer [ 75 ] etc, these serum lncRNAs may even serve as prognostic biomarkers [ 69 , 72 , 74 ]. Serum lncRNAs in RCC patients are also deregulated.…”

Long non-coding RNAs: New biomarkers for prognosis and diagnosis of colon cancer

“…17 Second, in serum samples, for example, LOC285194 and RP11-462C24.1 can provide a new method that could differentiate patients with CRC from healthy controls. 67 Furthermore, several dysregulated lncRNAs are present in both cancer tissues and patient serum samples, such as BANCR, NR_034119, NR_029373, and NR_026817. 79 In conclusion, lncRNA is involved in the development and progression of CRC and shows that lncRNA may be a potential diagnostic and new prognostic target in patients with CRC.…”