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Updated: May 13, 2026
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miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues
Published on: September 8, 2015
miRNA profiling of cancer
Gianpiero Di Leva1, Carlo M Croce
1Ohio State University, Comprehensive Cancer Center, Department of Molecular Virology, Immunology and Medical Genetics, BRT1072 460W. 12th Avenue, Columbus, OH 43210, USA.
Current Opinion in Genetics & Development
|March 8, 2013
Summary
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial in cancer cell regulation and survival. Their unique expression profiles and presence in bodily fluids offer potential as sensitive cancer biomarkers for risk, prognosis, and classification.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression.
- Dysregulation of miRNAs is implicated in the development and maintenance of cancer.
- Altered miRNA expression patterns are unique to different cancer types and subtypes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To discuss the alterations in miRNA profiles within cancer.
- To highlight the potential of miRNAs as sensitive biomarkers for cancer.
- To evaluate the use of circulating miRNAs as biomarkers for improved patient outcomes.
Main Methods:
- Review of existing studies on miRNA expression in various cancers.
- Analysis of miRNA profiles in tumor tissues and biological fluids.
- Evaluation of current literature on circulating miRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic markers.
Main Results:
- miRNA expression profiles are significantly altered in cancer cells.
- miRNAs are detectable in biological fluids, suggesting their utility as circulating biomarkers.
- Specific miRNA signatures correlate with cancer risk, histological subtypes, and patient outcomes.
Conclusions:
- Altered miRNA profiles represent a significant hallmark of cancer.
- miRNAs hold substantial promise as sensitive biomarkers for cancer risk stratification, outcome prediction, and classification.
- Further research into circulating miRNA signatures may lead to improved prognostic and predictive tools in oncology.
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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...
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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...