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Mok ETY, Chitty JL, Cox TR. miRNAs in pancreatic cancer progression and metastasis. Clin Exp Metastasis 2024; 41:163-186. [PMID: 38240887 PMCID: PMC11213741 DOI: 10.1007/s10585-023-10256-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2023] [Accepted: 12/06/2023] [Indexed: 06/30/2024]
Abstract
Small non-coding RNA or microRNA (miRNA) are critical regulators of eukaryotic cells. Dysregulation of miRNA expression and function has been linked to a variety of diseases including cancer. They play a complex role in cancers, having both tumour suppressor and promoter properties. In addition, a single miRNA can be involved in regulating several mRNAs or many miRNAs can regulate a single mRNA, therefore assessing these roles is essential to a better understanding in cancer initiation and development. Pancreatic cancer is a leading cause of cancer death worldwide, in part due to the lack of diagnostic tools and limited treatment options. The most common form of pancreatic cancer, pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), is characterised by major genetic mutations that drive cancer initiation and progression. The regulation or interaction of miRNAs with these cancer driving mutations suggests a strong link between the two. Understanding this link between miRNA and PDAC progression may give rise to novel treatments or diagnostic tools. This review summarises the role of miRNAs in PDAC, the downstream signalling pathways that they play a role in, how these are being used and studied as therapeutic targets as well as prognostic/diagnostic tools to improve the clinical outcome of PDAC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ellie T Y Mok
- Matrix & Metastasis Lab, Cancer Ecosystems Program, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia
- School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
| | - Jessica L Chitty
- Matrix & Metastasis Lab, Cancer Ecosystems Program, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.
- School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
| | - Thomas R Cox
- Matrix & Metastasis Lab, Cancer Ecosystems Program, The Garvan Institute of Medical Research and The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Darlinghurst, NSW, Australia.
- School of Clinical Medicine, St Vincent's Healthcare Clinical Campus, UNSW Medicine and Health, UNSW Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia.
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Mihai AM, Ianculescu LM, Suciu N. MiRNAs as potential biomarkers in early breast cancer detection: a systematic review. J Med Life 2024; 17:549-554. [PMID: 39296436 PMCID: PMC11407494 DOI: 10.25122/jml-2024-0322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/25/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 09/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Breast cancer remains a significant global health challenge, with high incidence and mortality rates. While mammography has contributed to declining mortality, its limitations in sensitivity and specificity for early detection, particularly in distinguishing between pure atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH), ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), and invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC), highlight the need for more precise tools. Even with core needle biopsy (CNB), conclusive diagnoses often require surgical excision. This underscores the urgency for non-invasive biomarkers to improve early detection and differentiation, potentially reducing invasive procedures. Recent research has shifted focus from mRNA to microRNAs (miRNAs) as promising biomarkers for breast cancer screening. These small non-coding RNAs, which exhibit abnormal expression patterns in breast cancer patients' tissue and serum/plasma, play crucial roles in early breast cancer development by modulating proto-oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes at the post-transcriptional level. Notably, miRNAs such as miR-21, miR-155, and miR-200c are key regulators of cell proliferation and apoptosis, with the potential to distinguish between normal tissue and various stages of breast lesions, including ADH, DCIS, and IDC. Additionally, miRNAs in serum and plasma offer a non-invasive method to differentiate breast cancer stages. This review aims to consolidate current knowledge on early breast lesions and explore the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers for early breast cancer detection, which could enhance risk prediction and reduce reliance on invasive diagnostic procedures.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana-Maria Mihai
- Polizu Department, Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute for Mother and Child Health, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Laura Maria Ianculescu
- Polizu Department, Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute for Mother and Child Health, Bucharest, Romania
| | - Nicolae Suciu
- Polizu Department, Alessandrescu-Rusescu National Institute for Mother and Child Health, Bucharest, Romania
- Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania
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Schleif WS, Sarasua SM, DeLuca JM. Preanalytic and Analytic Quality System Considerations in Noncoding RNA Biomarker Development for Clinical Diagnostics. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2023; 27:172-182. [PMID: 37257182 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2022.0086] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/02/2023] Open
Abstract
A frequent topic of biomedical research is the potential clinical use of non-coding (nc) RNAs as quantitative biomarkers for a broad spectrum of health and disease. However, ncRNA analyses have not been pressed into widespread diagnostic use. Strong preclinical evidence suggests obstacles in the translation and reproducibility of this type of biomarker which may result from preanalytical and analytical variation in the non-standardized processes used to collect, process, and store samples, as well as the substantive differences between small and long ncRNA. We performed a narrative review of selected literature, through the lens of key laboratory-developed test (LDT) regulations under the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments (CLIA) in the United States, to study critical gaps in ncRNA validation studies. This review describes the leading candidate ncRNA subclasses, their biogenesis and cellular function, and identifies specific pre-analytical variables with disproportionate impact on testing performance. We summarize these findings with strategic recommendations to clinicians and biomedical scientists involved in the design, conduct, and translation of ncRNA biomarker development.
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Affiliation(s)
- William S Schleif
- Healthcare Genetics Program, School of Nursing, College of Health, Education, and Human Development, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
- Program in Pediatric Biospecimen Science, Johns Hopkins All Children's Institute for Clinical and Translational Research, St. Petersburg, Florida, USA
| | - Sara M Sarasua
- Healthcare Genetics Program, School of Nursing, College of Health, Education, and Human Development, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
| | - Jane M DeLuca
- Healthcare Genetics Program, School of Nursing, College of Health, Education, and Human Development, Clemson University, Clemson, South Carolina, USA
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Siegmund SE, Mehra R, Acosta AM. An update on diagnostic tissue-based biomarkers in testicular tumors. Hum Pathol 2023; 133:32-55. [PMID: 35932825 DOI: 10.1016/j.humpath.2022.07.020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2022] [Accepted: 07/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022]
Abstract
Testicular cancer is rare overall but comprises the most common solid malignancy diagnosed in young men aged ∼20-40 years. Most testicular neoplasms generally fall into 2 broad categories: germ cell tumors (GCTs; ∼95%) and sex cord-stromal tumors (SCSTs ∼5%). Given the relative rarity of these tumors, diagnostic biomarkers are highly relevant for their diagnosis. Over the past several decades, diagnostic biomarkers have improved dramatically through targeted immunohistochemical and molecular characterization. Despite these recent advances, most markers are not perfectly sensitive or entirely specific. Therefore, they need to be used in combination and interpreted in context. In this review, we summarize tissue-based biomarkers relevant to the pathologist, with a focus on practical diagnostic issues that relate to testicular GCT and SCST.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie E Siegmund
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Rohit Mehra
- Department of Pathology and Michigan Center for Translational Pathology, University of Michigan Hospital and Health Systems, 1500, East Medical Center Drive, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA.
| | - Andres M Acosta
- Department of Pathology, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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Xu N, Liu J, Li X. Lupus nephritis: The regulatory interplay between epigenetic and MicroRNAs. Front Physiol 2022; 13:925416. [PMID: 36187762 PMCID: PMC9523357 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2022.925416] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 08/24/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are endogenous, small, non-coding RNA molecules that act as epigenetic modifiers to regulate the protein levels of target messenger RNAs without altering their genetic sequences. The highly complex role of miRNAs in the epigenetics of lupus nephritis (LN) is increasingly being recognized. DNA methylation and histone modifications are focal points of epigenetic research. miRNAs play a critical role in renal development and physiology, and dysregulation may result in abnormal renal cell proliferation, inflammation, and fibrosis of the kidneys in LN. However, epigenetic and miRNA-mediated regulation are not mutually exclusive. Further research has established a link between miRNA expression and epigenetic regulation in various disorders, including LN. This review summarizes the most recent evidence regarding the interaction between miRNAs and epigenetics in LN and highlights potential therapeutic and diagnostic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ning Xu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Jie Liu
- School of Clinical Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
| | - Xiangling Li
- Department of Nephrology, Affiliated Hospital of Weifang Medical University, Weifang, China
- *Correspondence: Xiangling Li,
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Shidham VB. Role of immunocytochemistry in cervical cancer screening. Cytojournal 2022; 19:42. [PMID: 35928527 PMCID: PMC9345115 DOI: 10.25259/cmas_03_17_2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/04/2022] Open
Abstract
The cervical cancer screening has been based conventionally on cytologic analysis. With advances in understanding the role of human papillomavirus, cotesting has been applied. But most of the patients subjected to colposcopy did not benefit, except in cases with HSIL [high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion] cytology. Because of this, a step to increase the sensitivity to detect cancers and pre-cancers but with higher specificity with minimal overdiagnosis leading to prevention of unindicated cervical biopsies is highly desired. Such triaging step in cases with abnormal screening results is expected to minimize invasive interventions because of low false positivity. With availability of methodologies leading to quantitatively and qualitatively enhanced cell-blocks from residual liquid based cytology specimens, immunostaining can be performed for multiple immunomarkers with potential objectivity to triage initial screening test results. This is enhanced further with inclusion of AV marker in the cell-blocks and application of SCIP (subtractive coordinate immunoreactivity pattern) approach. The cell-blocks are also resource for performing other ancillary studies including molecular pathology and proteomics/metabolomics as potential tests in future. This review explores application of residual liquid based cytology specimen for cell-blocking with application of ancillary studies in algorithmic manner as adjunct to ASCCP management guidelines for improved patient care.
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