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Updated: Feb 18, 2026
Detection and Monitoring of Tumor Associated Circulating DNA in Patient Biofluids
Published on: June 8, 2019
Circulating microRNAs as Biomarkers for Pediatric Astrocytomas
Javier Enrique López-Aguilar1, Miguel A Velázquez-Flores2, Luis A Simón-Martínez2
1Departamento de Oncología, Laboratorio de Investigación en Tumores Cerebrales, Hospital de Pediatría "Dr. Silvestre Frenk Freund", Centro Médico Nacional Siglo XXI, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS), 06720, Ciudad de México, México.
Background And Aims:
Since MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are potent regulators of gene expression, their expression and function alterations are associated with different types of cancer, including pediatric astrocytoma. Since the secretion of miRNAs by tumors into corporal fluids has made it possible to identify biomarkers in cancer, their deter mination in pediatric astrocytoma is vital. In order to gain insight into the mechanisms controlled by miRNAs in these neoplasms, we tested the expression of miRNAs 130a, 145, 335, 1303, and let-7g-3p by qPCR in tumors and blood serum from pediatric patients with astrocytoma. The data was analyzed with the DIANA-miRPath v3.0 platform.
Results:
The data represented expression changes of all mirRNAs tested in both tumors and blood serum, which strongly suggest their use as circulating biomarkers for astrocytic tumors. The bioinformatic analysis -with DIANA-miRPath v3.0- showed the involvement of these miRNAs in extracellular matrix (ECM)-receptor interaction and proteoglycans in cancer, which control many hallmarks of cancer. In fact, the expression of the proteoglycan syndecan 4 (SDC4) and that of its biosynthetic enzymes, Exostosin Glycosyltransferase 1 (EXT1) and Xylosyltransferase 1 (XYLT1), were altered in pediatric astrocytoma.
Conclusions:
Our results highlight the role of microRNAs in the biology of pediatric astrocytoma and demonstrated for the first time the potential use of some circulating microRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for this type of tumors, particularly miRs 130a, 145, and 335.
Insights
Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) show promise as non-invasive biomarkers for pediatric astrocytoma. Specific miRNAs, including miR-130a, miR-145, and miR-335, were found altered in tumors and blood serum, suggesting their diagnostic potential.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are key gene expression regulators implicated in various cancers, including pediatric astrocytoma.
- Altered miRNA expression is linked to cancer development and progression.
- miRNAs secreted into bodily fluids offer potential as circulating biomarkers for early cancer detection.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the expression of specific miRNAs (130a, 145, 335, 1303, let-7g-3p) in pediatric astrocytoma.
- To explore the potential of these miRNAs as circulating biomarkers in blood serum.
- To elucidate the role of these miRNAs in the biological mechanisms of pediatric astrocytoma.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative PCR (qPCR) was used to measure miRNA expression levels.
- Tumor tissue and blood serum samples from pediatric astrocytoma patients were analyzed.
- Bioinformatic analysis using DIANA-miRPath v3.0 was performed to identify miRNA-targeted pathways.
Main Results:
- Expression levels of all tested miRNAs were altered in both tumor tissues and blood serum of pediatric astrocytoma patients.
- Bioinformatic analysis revealed the involvement of these miRNAs in cancer-related pathways, including ECM-receptor interaction and proteoglycan signaling.
- Expression of syndecan 4 (SDC4) and its biosynthetic enzymes (EXT1, XYLT1) were found to be altered in pediatric astrocytoma.
Conclusions:
- Circulating microRNAs, particularly miR-130a, miR-145, and miR-335, demonstrate potential as non-invasive biomarkers for pediatric astrocytoma.
- These findings highlight the significant role of miRNAs in the pathogenesis of pediatric astrocytoma.
- The study provides a foundation for developing novel diagnostic strategies for pediatric astrocytoma using circulating miRNAs.
