Quantitative Real-Time PCR as a Novel Detection Method for Micro-RNAs Expressed by Cervical Cancer Tissue: A Review

摘要

The potential of microRNAs (miRNA) as biomarkers of Cervical Cancer (CC) is analyzed extensively by many researchers today. However, some studies have shown that miRNAs are expressed in cancers and may act as a better diagnostic strategy than the Pap smear or even assist it as a screening strategy. MicroRNA expression has been shown to differ in precancerous lesions as well as in cervical cancer tumours from that of normal tissue. With the use of quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR), microRNAs can be detected in many sample types ranging from biopsy samples to blood (serum and plasma). Early detection of the disease is possible due to the aberrant expression of miRNAs in precancerous stages as well as advanced stages of the disease; this proves that they have the potential to be an ideal novel biomarker for CC. This review discusses studies using qRT-PCR to detect the expression of miRNAs within the years 2008-2019 and focuses on giving an insight into the types of samples and kits that have been used. Publications which have used qRT-PCR as a primary or secondary detection method were selected via Google Scholar Search and PubMed. Studies were shown to have used a variety of kits and reagents, but all have applied the main principle of qRT-PCR. Quantitative Real-Time PCR is shown to be a versatile and accurate detection technique for miRNAs of CC.