MicroRNAs in blood act as biomarkers of colorectal cancer and indicate potential therapeutic targets

Abstract

Association studies have linked alterations of blood‐derived microRNAs (miRNAs) with colorectal cancer (CRC). Here, we performed a microarray‐based comparison of the profiles of 2549 miRNAs in 80 blood samples from healthy donors and patients with colorectal adenomas, colorectal diverticulitis and CRC at different stages. Confirmation by quantitative real‐time PCR (RT‐PCR) was complemented by validation of identified molecules in another 36 blood samples. No variations in miRNA levels were observed in samples from patients with colorectal adenomas and diverticulitis or from healthy donors. However, there were 179 CRC‐associated miRNAs of differential abundance compared to healthy controls. Only three – miR‐1225‐5p, miR‐1207‐5p and miR‐4459 – exhibited increased levels at all CRC stages. Most deregulated miRNAs (128/179, 71%) specifically predicted metastatic CRC. Pathway analysis found several cancer‐related pathways to which the miRNAs contribute in various ways. In conclusion, miRNA levels in blood vary throughout CRC progression and affect cellular functions relevant to haematogenous CRC progression and dissemination. The identified biomarker and therapeutic candidates require further confirmation of their clinical relevance.

The Roles of microRNA miR-185 in Digestive Tract Cancers

“…Over the years, we have studied the miR-content in cancer tissues and blood samples for both understanding tumor biology and determining the diagnostic potential [ 8 , 9 , 10 , 11 ]. miRs are non-protein-encoding RNA molecules that play a critical role in the post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression.…”

MicroRNAs (miRNAs): Novel potential therapeutic targets in colorectal cancer

“…This study suggests that miRNAs may play an important role in tumorigenesis and tumor progression. Thus, since then, an increasing number of studies have demonstrated that the aberrant expression of miRNAs is associated with cancer progression, including CRC ( 40 – 42 ).…”