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Updated: May 27, 2026
08:12
Detection of a Circulating MicroRNA Custom Panel in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Published on: March 14, 2019
MicroRNA and colorectal cancer
Hélène Corté1, Gilles Manceau, Hélène Blons
1Université Paris Descartes, Sorbonne Paris Cité, Paris, France.
Summary
MicroRNAs show promise as biomarkers for colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment response. Further research is needed to overcome discrepancies and integrate these small non-coding RNAs into clinical practice.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Colorectal cancer remains a leading global cancer.
- MicroRNAs (small non-coding RNAs) regulate gene expression and cellular processes crucial to carcinogenesis.
- These molecules are being investigated for their potential in cancer management.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the literature on microRNAs as potential biomarkers for colorectal cancer.
- To explore their utility in diagnosis, prognosis, and predicting chemotherapy response.
- To identify challenges and future directions for clinical application.
Main Methods:
- Comprehensive literature review of studies investigating microRNAs in colorectal cancer.
- Analysis of existing evidence regarding microRNA roles in cancer development and progression.
- Synthesis of findings on microRNAs as diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive biomarkers.
Main Results:
- Evidence suggests certain microRNAs can serve as biomarkers in colorectal cancer.
- Discrepancies exist among studies, potentially due to tumour heterogeneity and technical factors.
- MicroRNAs regulate key cellular mechanisms involved in cancer development.
Conclusions:
- MicroRNAs hold significant potential as biomarkers for colorectal cancer.
- Further research and data accumulation are necessary for clinical implementation.
- Understanding microRNA roles is key to improving colorectal cancer diagnosis and treatment.
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01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
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MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...
01:22MicroRNAs
MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA ends...