Potential clinical applications of microRNAs as biomarkers of renal cell carcinoma

Abstract

IntroductionRenal cell carcinoma (RCC) accounts for 3% of adult malignancies and more than 90% of kidney neoplasms. High rates of undiagnostic percutaneous kidney biopsies and difficulties in reliable pre-operative differentiation between malignant and benign renal tumors using contemporary imaging techniques result in large numbers of redundant surgeries. Absence of specific biomarkers for early detection and monitoring complicates on-time diagnosis of the disease and relapse. For the patients followed up after having a nephrectomy, a noninvasive and sensitive biomarker enabling early detection of disease relapse would be extremely useful.Material and methodsThe study is a review of recent knowledge regarding potential clinical applications of microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers of RCC.ResultsMicroRNAs are essential regulators of various processes such as cell proliferation, differentiation, development and death; they have been implicated in diverse biological and pathological processes in RCC. There is a class of miRNAs that promote RCC development (oncomirs) and a class of miRNAs that negatively regulate oncogenes, suppress tumor growth and invasion, and thus could be considered treatment agents (anti-oncomirs). Separate miRNAs and specific miRNAs expression profiles have been identified, enabling early detection of the disease, prediction of response to systemic therapy, or prognostication of biological behavior of the disease.ConclusionsThe miRNA network analysis and gene profiling may help to identify the most sensible molecular signatures of RCC that can be used for diagnostic purposes, as well as poor prognosis signatures and poor therapeutic response signatures in patients who undergo systemic therapy.

TGF-β and microRNA Interplay in Genitourinary Cancers

“…The potential significance of miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in renal cell carcinoma has been confirmed by multiple studies [274][275][276]. These small molecules participate in the regulation of RCC cell growth, cell cycle, apoptosis, angiogenesis, tissue invasion, and metastasis [277]. Noteworthy, miRNAs may be useful markers, allowing for the selection of patients to treatment.…”

MetastamiRs in Renal Cell Carcinoma: An Overview of MicroRNA Implicated in Metastatic Kidney Cancer

“…As shown in the above tables, several metastamiRs have been postulated to be useful as potential biomarkers of prognosis, disease progression, or metastasis. Several metastamiRs could also serve as potential predictors for responsiveness to chemotherapeutic regimens (229). One of the more promising prognosticators for disease progression is the oncomiR miR-21, as several studies have commented on its potential utility as a ccRCC-specific miRNA signature of disease progression (24,25,135,193).…”

MiR-25 protects NRK-52E cells from apoptosis induced by renal IRI by targeting DKK3

“…For example, miR-21, miR-29 and miR-192, as key regulators, play an important regulatory role in the progression of renal brosis [8][9][10]. Related studies have shown that many miRNAs (such as miR-15a and miR-210) may become new tools for the detection, treatment and prognosis of renal cancer [11][12][13]. Moreover, miR-34a-5p, miR-27a and miR-126 have also been shown to be involved in the development of diabetic nephropathy [14][15][16][17].…”