Related Experiment Video
Updated: Mar 11, 2026
08:14
MicroRNA Based Liquid Biopsy: The Experience of the Plasma miRNA Signature Classifier MSC for Lung Cancer Screening
Published on: October 26, 2017
16.3K
Circulating Plasma MicroRNAs As Diagnostic Markers for NSCLC
Jinpao Hou1, Fei Meng1, Lawrence W C Chan1
1Department of Health Technology and Informatics, Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong, Hong Kong.
Frontiers in Genetics
|November 19, 2016
Summary
This review explores cell-free microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential non-invasive biomarkers for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) diagnosis. It also discusses the limitations of circulating tumor cells (CTCs) for early NSCLC detection.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biochemistry
Background:
- Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key regulators of gene expression and emerging biomarkers in biological fluids.
- Circulating miRNAs and circulating tumor cells (CTCs) are investigated for non-invasive cancer diagnostics.
Approach:
- This review synthesizes current research on miRNA biology and their release into circulation.
- It examines the diagnostic potential of cell-free miRNAs for NSCLC.
- The review also discusses the limitations of using CTCs as diagnostic markers for NSCLC.
Key Points:
- Cell-free miRNAs found in serum/plasma can serve as non-invasive diagnostic markers for NSCLC.
- Advances have been made in identifying miRNA panels for early-stage NSCLC diagnosis.
- Significant challenges persist regarding the reliability and validation of miRNA panels and CTCs for NSCLC diagnostics.
Conclusions:
- Cell-free miRNAs offer a promising avenue for early NSCLC detection.
- Further research is needed to overcome current limitations in miRNA-based diagnostics.
- CTCs currently face substantial hurdles for routine clinical application in NSCLC diagnosis.
