The Clinical Utility of lncRNAs and Their Application as Molecular Biomarkers in Breast Cancer

Abstract

Given their tumor-specific and stage-specific gene expression, long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have demonstrated to be potential molecular biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment response. Particularly, the lncRNAs DSCAM-AS1 and GATA3-AS1 serve as examples of this because of their high subtype-specific expression profile in luminal B-like breast cancer. This makes them candidates to use as molecular biomarkers in clinical practice. However, lncRNA studies in breast cancer are limited in sample size and are restricted to the determination of their biological function, which represents an obstacle for its inclusion as molecular biomarkers of clinical utility. Nevertheless, due to their expression specificity among diseases, such as cancer, and their stability in body fluids, lncRNAs are promising molecular biomarkers that could improve the reliability, sensitivity, and specificity of molecular techniques used in clinical diagnosis. The development of lncRNA-based diagnostics and lncRNA-based therapeutics will be useful in routine medical practice to improve patient clinical management and quality of life.

Long Noncoding RNA VLDLR-AS1 Levels in Serum Correlate with Combat-Related Chronic Mild Traumatic Brain Injury and Depression Symptoms in US Veterans

“…To establish VLDLR-AS1 as a stand-alone blood biomarker to identify patients with rmTBI, a validation study should be performed in the future in a larger population, including veterans and civilians with rmTBI and encompassing a broad range of age, gender and ethnicity. In a recent review, Arriaga-Canon et al have described the sample size calculation for large validation studies, along with the clinical utility of lncRNAs as biomarkers in diseases [98]. A future validation study for VLDLR-AS1 will be started, with conditional power calculations for sample size determination and the establishment of the clinical utility of VLDLR-AS1 in the diagnosis, as well as prognosis, of rmTBI.…”

Challenges in Defining a Reference Set of Differentially Expressed lncRNAs in Ulcerative Colitis by Meta-Analysis

“…Promising molecular biomarkers, lncRNAs, have the potential to enhance the accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of molecular methods employed in clinical diagnosis. In standard medical practice, the development of lncRNA-based diagnostics and therapies will be helpful to improve patient clinical care and quality of life [53]. However, some of the challenges of analyzing publicly available independent UC datasets remain.…”

Nanotherapeutic approaches for delivery of long non-coding RNAs: an updated review with emphasis on cancer

“…74,75 As an FDA-approved lncRNA for clinical use, PCA3 has proved to be valid for the diagnosis of prostate cancer. 76 It was discovered in a clinical trial that included 507 male patients in the validation phase. 77 The PCA3 has a sensitivity range of 54%–82% and a specificity range of 56.3%–89%, so it is suitable for clinical use.…”