Comparison of different extraction techniques to profile microRNAs from human sera and peripheral blood mononuclear cells

microRNAs and Personalized Medicine: Evaluating Their Potential as Cancer Biomarkers

microRNA deregulations are often, if not invariably, associated with human malignancies, including cancers. Though most of these deregulations may not be functionally implicated in tumorigenesis, the fact that microRNA expression can be monitored in a variety of human specimens, including biological fluids, supports studies aimed at characterizing microRNA signatures able to detect various cancers (diagnosis), predict their outcome (prognosis), monitor their treatment (theranosis), and adapt therapy to a patient (precision medicine). Here, we review and discuss pros and cons of microRNA-based approaches that can support their exploitation as cancer biomarkers.

Circulating microRNAs as Biomarkers in Cardiovascular Diseases

MicroRNAs, key regulators of biological processes, are involved in the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying human diseases, including cardiovascular diseases. Their recent discovery revealed a previously unknown layer of pathophysiologic regulators, which also play a key role in the regulation of several aspects of cardiovascular diseases. More recently, it was demonstrated that circulating microRNAs can be measured in the blood. Hence, the potential use of microRNAs as disease biomarkers attracted many research groups. Indeed, their unusual stability in the bloodstream and during prolonged storage make circulating miRs very interesting as potential biomarkers. Circulating microRNAs are emerging as the next generation "smart" biomarkers and could be helpful in further improving the diagnostic and therapeutic processes of cardiovascular diseases. The present chapter summarizes the most relevant experimental evidence on circulating microRNAs in cardiovascular diseases, including arterial remodeling, restenosis, coronary artery disease, acute coronary syndromes, hypertension, heart failure, and ischemic stroke, highlighting potential pathophysiological correlations to the mechanisms underlying cardiovascular diseases.

The potential of microRNAs in personalized medicine against cancers

MicroRNAs orchestrate the expression of the genome and impact many, if not all, cellular processes. Their deregulation is thus often causative of human malignancies, including cancers. Numerous studies have implicated microRNAs in the different steps of tumorigenesis including initiation, progression, metastasis, and resistance to chemo/radiotherapies. Thus, microRNAs constitute appealing targets for novel anticancer therapeutic strategies aimed at restoring their expression or function. As microRNAs are present in a variety of human cancer types, microRNA profiles can be used as tumor-specific signatures to detect various cancers (diagnosis), to predict their outcome (prognosis), and to monitor their treatment (theranosis). In this review, we present the different aspects of microRNA biology that make them remarkable molecules in the emerging field of personalized medicine against cancers and provide several examples of their industrial exploitation.