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Tavares NT, Lobo J, Bagrodia A. MicroRNAs for detecting occult genitourinary cancer. Curr Opin Urol 2024; 34:20-26. [PMID: 37916954 DOI: 10.1097/mou.0000000000001137] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/03/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Genitourinary (GU) malignancies are a real burden in global health worldwide. Each model has its own clinical challenges, and the early screening and/or detection of occult cancer in follow-up is transversal to all of them. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proposed as minimally invasive liquid biopsy cancer biomarkers, due to their stability and low degradation. RECENT FINDINGS The different GU tumor models are in different stages concerning miRNAs as biomarkers for cancer detection. Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) already have a specific defined target, miR-371a-3p, that has shown high sensitivity and specificity in different clinical settings, and is now in final stages of preanalytical testing before entering the clinic. The other GU malignancies are in a different stage, with many liquid biopsy studies (both in urine and plasma/serum) being currently performed, but there is not an agreeable miRNA or set of miRNAs that is ready to follow the footsteps of miR-371a-3p in TGCTs. SUMMARY Further studies with proper molecular characterization of miRNA profiles of GU malignancies and standardization of sampling, biobanking and formal analysis may aid in the advance and choosing of specific target sets to be used for occult cancer detection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nuno Tiago Tavares
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC)
- Doctoral Programme in Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP)
| | - João Lobo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC)
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre Raquel Seruca (Porto.CCC)
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Aditya Bagrodia
- Department of Urology, University of California - San Diego Health, San Diego, California
- Department of Urology, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas, USA
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Nestler T, Schoch J, Belge G, Dieckmann KP. MicroRNA-371a-3p-The Novel Serum Biomarker in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:3944. [PMID: 37568759 PMCID: PMC10417034 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15153944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/13/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are a paradigm for the use of serum tumor markers in clinical management. However, conventional markers such as alpha-fetoprotein (AFP), beta-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) have quite limited sensitivities and specificities. Within the last decade, the microRNA-371a-3p (miR371) emerged as a possible new biomarker with promising features. AREAS COVERED This review covers the typical features as well as possible clinical applications of miR371 in TGCT patients, such as initial diagnosis, therapy monitoring, and follow-up. Additionally, technical issues are discussed. EXPERT OPINION With a sensitivity of around 90% and specificity >90%, miR371 clearly outperforms the classical serum tumor markers in TGCTs. The unique features of the test involve the potential of modifying recent standards of care in TGCT. In particular, miR371 is expected to aid clinical decision-making in scenarios such as discriminating small testicular TGCT masses from benign ones prior to surgery, assessing equivocal lymphadenopathies, and monitoring chemotherapy results. Likewise, it is expected to make follow-up easier by reducing the intensity of examinations and by sparing imaging procedures. Overall, the data presently available are promising, but further prospective studies are required before the test can be implemented in standard clinical care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tim Nestler
- Department of Urology, Federal Armed Forces Hospital Koblenz, 56072 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Justine Schoch
- Department of Urology, Federal Armed Forces Hospital Koblenz, 56072 Koblenz, Germany
| | - Gazanfer Belge
- Department of Tumour Genetics, University Bremen, 28359 Bremen, Germany
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Raos D, Oršolić D, Mašić S, Tomić M, Krasić J, Tomašković I, Gabaj NN, Gelo N, Kaštelan Ž, Kuliš T, Bojanac AK, Barešić A, Ulamec M, Ježek D, Sincic N. cfDNA methylation in liquid biopsies as potential testicular seminoma biomarker. Epigenomics 2022; 14:1493-1507. [PMID: 36722130 DOI: 10.2217/epi-2022-0331] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Seminoma is a testicular tumor type, routinely diagnosed after orchidectomy. As cfDNA represents a source of minimally invasive seminoma patient management, this study aimed to investigate whether cfDNA methylation of six genes from liquid biopsies, have potential as novel seminoma biomarkers. Materials & methods: cfDNA methylation from liquid biopsies was assessed by pyrosequencing and compared with healthy volunteers' samples. Results: Detailed analysis revealed specific CpGs as possible seminoma biomarkers, but receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed modest diagnostic performance. In an analysis of panels of statistically significant CpGs, two DNA methylation panels emerged as potential seminoma screening panels, one in blood CpG8/CpG9/CpG10 (KITLG) and the other in seminal plasma CpG1(MAGEC2)/CpG1(OCT3/4). Conclusion: The presented data promote the development of liquid biopsy epigenetic biomarkers in the screening of seminoma patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dora Raos
- University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Scientific Group for Research on Epigenetic Biomarkers, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive & Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Davor Oršolić
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Division of Electronics, Laboratory for Machine Learning & Knowledge Representation, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Silvija Mašić
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive & Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- University Clinical Hospital Centre "Sestre Milosrdnice," Ljudevit Jurak Clinical Department of Pathology & Cytology, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Miroslav Tomić
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive & Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- University Clinical Hospital Centre "Sestre Milosrdnice," Department of Urology, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Jure Krasić
- University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Scientific Group for Research on Epigenetic Biomarkers, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive & Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Igor Tomašković
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive & Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- University Clinical Hospital Centre "Sestre Milosrdnice," Department of Urology, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nora Nikolac Gabaj
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive & Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- University Clinical Hospital Centre "Sestre Milosrdnice," Department of Clinical Chemistry, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- University of Zagreb, Faculty of Pharmacy & Biochemistry, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nina Gelo
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive & Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Department of Clinical Embryology, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Željko Kaštelan
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive & Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Department of Urology, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Tomislav Kuliš
- University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Scientific Group for Research on Epigenetic Biomarkers, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive & Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- University Hospital Centre Zagreb, Department of Urology, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Ana Katušić Bojanac
- University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive & Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Anja Barešić
- Ruđer Bošković Institute, Division of Electronics, Laboratory for Machine Learning & Knowledge Representation, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Monika Ulamec
- University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Scientific Group for Research on Epigenetic Biomarkers, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive & Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- University Clinical Hospital Centre "Sestre Milosrdnice," Ljudevit Jurak Clinical Department of Pathology & Cytology, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Department of Pathology, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Davor Ježek
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive & Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Department of Histology & Embryology, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Nino Sincic
- University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Department of Medical Biology, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- University of Zagreb School of Medicine, Scientific Group for Research on Epigenetic Biomarkers, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
- Scientific Centre of Excellence for Reproductive & Regenerative Medicine, University of Zagreb School of Medicine, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
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Constâncio V, Tavares NT, Henrique R, Jerónimo C, Lobo J. MiRNA biomarkers in cancers of the male reproductive system: are we approaching clinical application? Andrology 2022; 11:651-667. [PMID: 35930290 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Specific cancer types face specific clinical management challenges. Owing to their stability, robustness and fast, easy, and cost-effective detection, microRNAs (miRNAs) are attractive candidate biomarkers to the clinic. OBJECTIVES Based on a comprehensive review of the relevant literature in the field, we explore the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers to answer relevant clinical dilemmas inherent to cancers of the male reproductive tract (prostate (PCa), testis (TGCTs) and penis (PeCa)) and identify some of the challenges/limitations hampering their widely application. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION We conclude that the use of miRNAs as biomarkers is at different stages for these distinct cancer types. While for TGCTs, miRNA-371a-3p is universally accepted to fill in important clinicals gaps and is moving fast towards clinical implementation, for PCa almost no overlap of miRNAs exists between studies, denoting the absence of a consistent miRNA biomarker, and for PeCa the field of miRNAs has just recently started, with only a few studies attempting to explore their clinical usefulness. CONCLUSION Technological advances influencing miRNA detection and quantification will be instrumental to continue to move forward with implementation of miRNAs in the clinic as biomarkers for non-invasive diagnosis, risk stratification, treatment monitoring and follow-up. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Constâncio
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, 4200-072, Portugal.,Doctoral Programme in Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, 4050-513, Portugal
| | - Nuno Tiago Tavares
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, 4200-072, Portugal
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, 4200-072, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, 4200-072, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, 4050-513, Portugal
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, 4200-072, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, 4050-513, Portugal
| | - João Lobo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, 4200-072, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, 4200-072, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, 4050-513, Portugal
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