MicroRNAs as possible biomarkers for diagnosis and prognosis of hepatitis B- and C-related-hepatocellular-carcinoma

Abstract

Aim of the present review is to summarize the current knowledge about the potential relationship between miRNAs and hepatitis B virus (HBV)-hepatitis C virus (HCV) related liver diseases. A systematic computer-based search of published articles, according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analysis Statement, was performed to identify relevant studies on usefulness of serum/plasma/urine miRNAs, as noninvasive biomarkers for early detection of HBV and HCV-induced hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) development, as well as for its prognostic evaluation. The used Medical Subject Headings terms and keywords were: "HBV", "HCV", "hepatocellular carcinoma", "microRNAs", "miRNAs", "diagnosis", "prognosis", "therapy", "treatment". Some serum/plasma miRNAs, including miR-21, miR-122, mi-125a/b, miR-199a/b, miR-221, miR-222, miR-223, miR-224 might serve as biomarkers for early diagnosis/prognosis of HCC, but, to date, not definitive results or well-defined panels of miRNAs have been obtained. More well-designed studies, focusing on populations of different geographical areas and involving larger series of patients, should be carried out to improve our knowledge on the potential role of miRNAs for HCC early detection and prognosis.

Interest of variations in microRNA‐152 and ‐122 in a series of hepatocellular carcinomas related to hepatitis C virus infection

“…The use of different methods (RT‐qPCR vs. microarray), different samples (HCC vs. non‐tumor tissue including liver cirrhosis and/or normal liver tissue; HCC vs. normal liver) and fairly variable control RNA (RNU6B), might be a source of the weak comparability of the results. Some authors have suggested that RNU6B was unstable, which could affect the reliability of the results . On comparing the levels of RNU6B in tumor, non‐tumor, and control tissue samples, we found no statistically significant differences (data not shown).…”

MiR‐24‐3p enhances cell growth in hepatocellular carcinoma by targeting metallothionein 1M

“…Identifying the biomarker proteins and their regulating miRNAs that are essential for HCC progression may provide promising therapeutic opportunities. Many miRNAs have been found to be dysregulated in HCC and function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, depending on their targets in HCC tumorigenesis . Recently, studies have found that miR‐24 acts as an oncogene in several tumors, including HCC .…”

“…Many miRNAs have been found to be dysregulated in HCC and function as oncogenes or tumor suppressors, depending on their targets in HCC tumorigenesis. 3,[9][10][11][12] Recently, studies have found that miR- It is generally accepted that miRNAs exert their function through regulating the expression of their downstream target genes. In this study, we identified MT1M as a target of miR-24-3p in HCC.…”

Potential Targets and Clinical Value of MiR-224-5p in Cancers of the Digestive Tract

“…Previous studies have suggested that miR-224 may be a prospective biomarker for the diagnosis of HCC [41-43]. Okajima et al [44] performed a systematic review of microRNAs in plasma and identified miR-224 as a sensitive biomarker for detecting and monitoring HCC.…”