Potential miRNA Use as a Biomarker: From Breast Cancer Diagnosis to Metastasis

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. Despite advances in diagnosis and prognosis, distal metastases occur in these patients in up to 15% of cases within 3 years of diagnosis. The main organs in which BC metastasises are the bones, lungs, liver, and brain. Unfortunately, 90% of metastatic patients will die, making this an incurable disease. Researchers are therefore seeking biomarkers for diagnosis and metastasis in different organs. Optimally, such biomarkers should be easy to detect using, preferably, non-invasive methods, such as using miRNA molecules, which are small molecules of about 22 nt that have as their main function the post-transcriptional regulation of genes. Furthermore, due to their uncomplicated detection and reproducibility in the laboratory, they are a tool of complementary interest for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment. With this in mind, in this review, we focus on describing the most current studies that propose using miRNA independently as a potential biomarker for the diagnosis and prediction of brain, lung, liver, and bone metastases, as well as to open a window of opportunity to deepen this area of study to eventually use miRNAs molecules in clinical practice for the benefit of BC patients.

MicroRNAs Associated with Androgen Receptor and Metastasis in Triple-Negative Breast Cancer

“…Some of these pathways are relevant in altering the response of TNBC to therapy by increasing cell sensitivity or reducing resistance [69]. The notion of miRNAs as biomarkers of TNBC [70][71][72] is still in its infancy. The heterogeneity of the disease, the incomplete annotation of miRNAs, and the variable technologies used for the identification of miRNAs are clear obstacles.…”

Mapping the function of MicroRNAs as a critical regulator of tumor-immune cell communication in breast cancer and potential treatment strategies

“…The care of patients in breast cancer remains a significant clinical problem. The scientific community is currently engaged in the ongoing exploration of supplementary biomarkers that can be employed in clinical settings to enhance the efficacy of oncologists in patient management ( Jordan-Alejandre et al, 2023 ). Scientists have utilized genomics, bioinformatics, and molecular biology methodologies to identify miRNAs that offer significant diagnostic insights ( Wu et al, 2014 ).…”

Exploring the human microbiome – A step forward for precision medicine in breast cancer

“…Normal cells have tightly regulated miRNA expression, whereas cancer cells may have abnormal miRNA processing, which can promote tumorigenesis. Several circulating miRNAs that are indicative of and specific to breast cancer have been found, suggesting that these miRNAs may serve as possible biomarkers for diagnosing cancer 79 . For example, miR21 is commonly used as a biomarker for recognition of metastasis levels, diagnosis, and prognosis.…”

“…Several circulating miRNAs that are indicative of and specific to breast cancer have been found, suggesting that these miRNAs may serve as possible biomarkers for diagnosing cancer. 79 For example, miR21 is commonly used as a biomarker for recognition of metastasis levels, diagnosis, and prognosis. miR155 was investigated as a prognostic biomarker in early‐stage TNBC.…”