Circulating microRNAs in cancer: origin, function and application

Journal of Experimental & Clinical Cancer Research

Xixiong Kang²  Tao Jiang¹  Ruimin Ma² 

[1] Department of Neurosurgery, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No.6 Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100050, China;Laboratory Diagnosis Center, Beijing Tian Tan Hospital, Capital Medical University, No.6 Tiantan Xili, Dongcheng District, Beijing, 100050, China

关键词: Diagnosis;    Cancer;    Circulating;    MicroRNA;   

Others  :  826569
DOI  :  10.1186/1756-9966-31-38

 received in 2012-02-01, accepted in 2012-04-30,  发布年份 2012

【 摘 要 】

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a class of small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression at the posttranscriptional level. The dysregulation of miRNAs has been linked to a series of diseases, including various types of cancer. Since their discovery in the circulation of cancer patients, there has been a steady increase in the study of circulating miRNAs as stable, non-invasive biomarkers. However, the origin and function of circulating miRNAs has not been systematically elucidated. In this review, we summarize the discovery of circulating miRNAs and their potential as biomarkers. We further emphasize their possible origin and function. Finally, we discuss the application and existing questions surrounding circulating miRNAs in cancer diagnostics. Although several challenges remain to be concerned, circulating miRNAs could be useful, non-invasive biomarkers for cancer diagnosis.

【 授权许可】

   
2012 Ma et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd.

【 图 表 】

Figure 1.

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