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Updated: Apr 18, 2026
Detection of a Circulating MicroRNA Custom Panel in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Published on: March 14, 2019
MicroRNA and targeted mRNA expression profiling analysis in human colorectal adenomas and adenocarcinomas
Charles-Henry Gattolliat1, Arnaud Uguen2, Marine Pesson1
1INSERM U1078-ECLA, Université de Bretagne Occidentale, SFR ScInBioS, Faculté de Médecine, 22, Avenue Camille Desmoulins, 29200 Brest, France.
Background:
Colorectal cancer (CRC) mainly develops from colorectal adenomas (CRAs). MicroRNAs (miRs) are short non-coding transcripts that regulate gene expression by binding to target mRNAs, preventing their expression. It was suggested that miRs were involved in cancer as tumour suppressors or oncogenes, thereby being also potential cancer biomarkers. We conducted an expression analysis of miRNAs and several of their target mRNAs, by using microarrays and quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-PCR) (RT-qPCR), in CRA and CRC, as compared to normal mucosa (NOR), in order to identify candidate miRNAs involved in CRC progression.
Results:
Microarray, together with confirmatory RT-qPCR analyses, showed 17 significantly deregulated miRNAs in colorectal lesions. While, as expected, some miRNAs have been previously reported to be associated with CRC, including miR-21 and miR-145, others were new (miR-125a-5p and miR-320 family). Some miRNAs were specific for the CRC versus NOR comparison (miR-320b), or for the CRA versus NOR comparison (miR-15b or miR-16), but several of them (miR-21, miR-24, miR-145, mir-150, miR-378) were deregulated in both CRAs and CRCs, as compared to NOR. The impact of these changes in miR expression on target genes is suggested by the associated deregulation of these genes in CRA and CRC.
Conclusions:
We confirmed that several miRNAs were abnormally expressed in colorectal lesions, identified new deregulated miRs, and showed that several miRNAs could mark the transition from NOR to CRA, thereby marking progression from the early steps of cancer.
Insights
This study identified 17 deregulated microRNAs (miRs) in colorectal lesions, with some specific to early or late stages of colorectal cancer (CRC). These findings highlight miRs as potential biomarkers for CRC progression.
Area of Science:
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
- Genetics
Background:
- Colorectal cancer (CRC) develops from colorectal adenomas (CRAs).
- MicroRNAs (miRs) are non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression and are implicated in cancer as tumor suppressors or oncogenes.
- miRs are potential biomarkers for cancer detection and progression.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the expression of miRNAs and their target mRNAs in CRAs and CRCs compared to normal mucosa (NOR).
- To identify candidate miRNAs involved in the progression of colorectal cancer.
Main Methods:
- Microarray analysis was used to assess miRNA expression.
- Quantitative Reverse Transcription-Polymerase Chain Reaction (RT-qPCR) was employed for confirmatory analysis.
- Expression levels were compared between normal mucosa (NOR), colorectal adenomas (CRAs), and colorectal cancers (CRCs).
Main Results:
- 17 significantly deregulated miRNAs were identified in colorectal lesions.
- Some deregulated miRNAs, such as miR-21 and miR-145, have been previously associated with CRC.
- New deregulated miRNAs, including miR-125a-5p and the miR-320 family, were identified.
- Several miRNAs (miR-21, miR-24, miR-145, miR-150, miR-378) were deregulated in both CRAs and CRCs compared to NOR.
- The expression changes in miRNAs were associated with the deregulation of their target genes.
Conclusions:
- Several miRNAs are abnormally expressed in colorectal lesions.
- New deregulated miRNAs involved in colorectal cancer progression were identified.
- Specific miRNAs can potentially mark the transition from normal mucosa to adenoma, indicating early cancer progression.
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