A novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for colorectal cancers: detection of circulating miRNA by quantitative PCR

摘要

Several screening tests for colorectal cancer (CRC), including fecal occult blood testing and colonoscopy, are available. However, fecal occult blood testing suffers from a reduced specificity, while colonoscopy is invasive with limited compliance. Recently, investigators have reported on the diagnostic and prognostic potential of circulating miRNAs. In the current article by Toiyama et al., published in Journal of the National Cancer Institute, the investigators focused on the potential of circulating miRNAs, specifically miR-21 in serum of subjects with CRC [l]. miR-21b is known to modulate multiple tumor-suppressor genes including PTEN, TPM1 and PDCD, and is known to be upregulated in several malignancies [2]. Based on the results of previous studies and their in vitro experiment, the authors assessed the serum levels of miR-21 in 282 subjects; 186 CRCs, 43 adenomatous polyps and 53 healthy controls.