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Updated: May 11, 2026
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MicroRNA Based Liquid Biopsy: The Experience of the Plasma miRNA Signature Classifier (MSC) for Lung Cancer Screening
Published on: October 26, 2017
Using microRNA profiling in urine samples to develop a non-invasive test for bladder cancer
Lourdes Mengual1, Juan José Lozano, Mercedes Ingelmo-Torres
1Laboratory and Department of Urology, Hospital Clínic, Institut d'Investigacions Biomèdiques August Pi i Sunyer (IDIBAPS), Universitat de Barcelona, Spain.
International Journal of Cancer
|May 21, 2013
Summary
This study developed a non-invasive urine test using microRNA (miRNA) expression to detect bladder urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC). The test accurately diagnoses UCC and assesses tumor aggressiveness, improving patient care.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Current bladder urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) detection methods are invasive or lack sensitivity.
- A non-invasive diagnostic tool for UCC is needed to improve patient quality of life and outcomes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate urinary microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in UCC patients.
- To develop a reliable, non-invasive tool for UCC diagnosis and assessment of tumor aggressiveness.
Main Methods:
- Global miRNA expression profiling of urinary cells from 40 UCC patients and controls.
- Validation of 22 selected miRNAs in 277 independent samples using qPCR.
- Development and cross-validation of miRNA-based diagnostic and prognostic signatures using logistic regression.
Main Results:
- Identified 40 differentially expressed miRNAs in UCC versus controls and 30 in high-grade versus low-grade tumors.
- Developed a six-miRNA diagnostic signature with 84.8% sensitivity and 86.5% specificity (AUC=0.92).
- Developed a two-miRNA prognostic model with 84.95% sensitivity and 74.14% specificity (AUC=0.83).
Conclusions:
- Urinary miRNA analysis shows promise as a valuable non-invasive tool for UCC assessment.
- The developed miRNA signatures require external validation but demonstrate high accuracy.
- This approach could significantly improve the diagnosis and monitoring of bladder cancer.
