MicroRNA dysregulation in colorectal cancer: a clinical perspective

Y Dong1, W K K Wu, C W Wu

  • 1Institute of Digestive Disease and Department of Medicine and Therapeutics, Li Ka Shing Institute of Health Sciences, Prince of Wales Hospital, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, NT, Hong Kong, China.

Insights

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show promise as early diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers for colorectal cancer (CRC). Further research is needed to fully characterize these noninvasive markers for clinical application.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a crucial role in colorectal cancer (CRC) development, progression, and treatment response.
  • Early detection and accurate prognostication are critical for improving CRC patient outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review the latest advancements in identifying noninvasive plasma and fecal miRNAs for early CRC diagnosis.
  • To discuss the potential of miRNAs as prognostic and predictive markers in CRC.
  • To explore the influence of miRNA-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms on CRC susceptibility and treatment.

Main Methods:

  • Comprehensive literature review of recent research on miRNAs in colorectal cancer.
  • Analysis of studies focusing on noninvasive miRNA detection in plasma and feces.
  • Evaluation of miRNA association with CRC clinical phenotypes and therapeutic outcomes.
  • Summary of findings on miRNA-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms and sporadic CRC.

Main Results:

  • Noninvasive plasma and fecal miRNAs demonstrate potential for early CRC diagnosis, with ongoing evaluation of their measurability and predictability.
  • miRNAs are emerging as valuable prognostic and predictive markers, correlating with CRC recurrence, metastasis, and treatment success.
  • miRNA-related single-nucleotide polymorphisms may impact sporadic CRC risk and response to therapy.

Conclusions:

  • The application of miRNAs as biomarkers for colorectal cancer is still in its early stages.
  • Further characterization and validation are essential to realize the full clinical potential of miRNAs in CRC management.

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