MicroRNAs as promising biomarkers in cancer diagnostics

Cumulating data suggest that small noncoding-RNAs such as microRNAs (miRNAs) can be utilized as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of a variety of diseases such as cancer, neurological disorders, cardiovascular disease and Type-II diabetes, etc. MiRNAs can be utilized not only for monitoring of treatments but also for patient stratifications. The Tenth Annual miRNA as Biomarkers and Diagnostics conference, 2014, organized in Boston, MA, was primarily focused on recent advancements in the field of miRNA in the early detection of disease, monitoring tumor growth/progression and its potential for precision medicine. This article summarizes findings presented in the miRNA biomarker as cancer diagnostics session. The overarching projections from this and other sessions were that miRNAs are now well established as regulators of tumorigenesis and can be utilized not only as potential biomarkers for the diagnosis and prognosis of a disease but also are useful in patient stratifications and treatment response.