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Updated: Apr 15, 2026
Detection of a Circulating MicroRNA Custom Panel in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
Published on: March 14, 2019
Malignant potential in pancreatic neoplasm; new insights provided by circulating miR-223 in plasma
Shuhei Komatsu1, Daisuke Ichikawa, Mahito Miyamae
1Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery , 465 Kajii-cho, Kawaramachihirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto , Japan +81 75 251 5527 ; +81 75 251 5522 ; skomatsu@koto.kpu-m.ac.jp.
Background:
Recent studies have identified that microRNAs are stably detectable in plasma/serum because of their binding to specific proteins or being packaged in secretory vesicles.
Methods:
We tested miR-223 as a candidate of novel plasma biomarker in pancreatic cancer (PCa) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN).
Results:
i) miR-223 expression was significantly higher in PCa tissues (p = 0.0069) than in normal tissues. ii) Plasma miR-223 levels were significantly higher in 71 PCa patients than 67 healthy volunteers (p < 0.0001). iii) Plasma miR-223 levels were significantly reduced in postoperative samples (p = 0.0297). iv) Plasma miR-223 levels tended to discriminate the malignant potential between benign IPMN and malignant IPMN (p = 0.0963), and the progressive extent of invasiveness between malignant IPMN and pancreatic invasive ductal carcinoma (PIDC) (p = 0.0004). Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that a low level of plasma miR-223 was an independent risk factor for PIDC (p = 0.0012, odds ratio 7.90 [95% CI: 2.06 - 41.2]). v) There was no significant correlation between plasma miR-223 levels and the number of any blood cell types in the peripheral blood.
Conclusion:
Plasma miR-223 might be a clinically useful biomarker for screening PCa, and predicting malignant potential of IPMN and the invasiveness of PCa.
Insights
Plasma miR-223 shows promise as a biomarker for pancreatic cancer (PCa) screening and predicting IPMN malignancy. Elevated levels in patients suggest its potential clinical utility.
Area of Science:
- Biomarker Discovery
- Molecular Diagnostics
- Oncology
Background:
- MicroRNAs are stable in plasma/serum due to protein binding or vesicle packaging.
- This stability suggests their potential as circulating biomarkers.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate plasma miR-223 as a novel biomarker for pancreatic cancer (PCa) and intraductal papillary mucinous neoplasm (IPMN).
Main Methods:
- Assessed miR-223 expression in PCa tissues and plasma from PCa patients and healthy volunteers.
- Analyzed plasma miR-223 levels in postoperative samples and correlated them with IPMN malignancy and PCa invasiveness.
Main Results:
- miR-223 was significantly higher in PCa tissues and plasma compared to normal tissues and healthy controls.
- Plasma miR-223 levels decreased post-surgery and showed potential in discriminating IPMN malignancy and PCa invasiveness.
- Low plasma miR-223 was an independent risk factor for pancreatic invasive ductal carcinoma (PIDC).
Conclusions:
- Plasma miR-223 may serve as a valuable biomarker for screening PCa.
- It shows potential for predicting IPMN malignant potential and PCa invasiveness.
