Related Experiment Video

Updated: Jan 29, 2026

Detection of a Circulating MicroRNA Custom Panel in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer
08:12

Detection of a Circulating MicroRNA Custom Panel in Patients with Metastatic Colorectal Cancer

Published on: March 14, 2019

6.0K

Are circulating microRNAs suitable for the early detection of malignant mesothelioma? Results from a nested

Daniel Gilbert Weber1, Alexander Brik2, Swaantje Casjens2

  • 1Institute for Prevention and Occupational Medicine of the German Social Accident Insurance, Institute of the Ruhr University Bochum (IPA), Buerkle-de-la-Camp-Platz 1, 44789, Bochum, Germany. weber@ipa-dguv.de.

BMC Research Notes
|February 13, 2019
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Investigating circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) like miR-132-3p, miR-126-3p, and miR-103a-3p for early malignant mesothelioma detection proved unsuccessful. These biomarkers did not show efficacy in prediagnostic plasma samples.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biomarker Discovery

Background:

  • Malignant mesothelioma is an aggressive cancer requiring early detection methods.
  • Non- or minimally-invasive biomarkers are crucial for identifying mesothelioma at earlier stages.
  • Specific circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have been investigated as potential diagnostic markers.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To evaluate the diagnostic potential of circulating miR-132-3p, miR-126-3p, and miR-103a-3p for early detection of malignant mesothelioma.
  • To assess the feasibility of these miRNAs as prediagnostic biomarkers in plasma samples.

Main Methods:

  • A nested case-control study design was employed.
  • Plasma samples from 17 prediagnostic malignant mesothelioma cases and 34 matched asbestos-exposed controls were analyzed.
  • Levels of miR-132-3p, miR-126-3p, and miR-103a-3p were quantified in prediagnostic samples.

Main Results:

  • The analyzed miRNAs (miR-132-3p, miR-126-3p, and miR-103a-3p) demonstrated 0% sensitivity at a specificity of 98%.
  • These miRNAs failed to detect malignant mesothelioma in prediagnostic plasma samples collected a median of 8.9 months prior to diagnosis.
  • The study indicates these miRNAs are not feasible for the early detection of malignant mesothelioma.

Conclusions:

  • Circulating miR-132-3p, miR-126-3p, and miR-103a-3p are not suitable biomarkers for the early detection of malignant mesothelioma.
  • Further research is warranted to explore the potential of these miRNAs as prognostic or predictive markers for therapy response.
  • Future studies should focus on different patient cohorts and experimental designs to validate potential roles beyond early diagnosis.
Keywords:
BiomarkerBloodCancerLiquid biopsiesMarkerMesotheliomaMicroRNANegative resultsNull resultsPrediagnostic

More Related Videos

Generation and Expansion of Primary, Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Tumor Lines08:01

Generation and Expansion of Primary, Malignant Pleural Mesothelioma Tumor Lines

Published on: April 21, 2022

2.3K
Evaluation of a Universal Nested Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Detection of Lyssaviruses08:10

Evaluation of a Universal Nested Reverse Transcription Polymerase Chain Reaction for the Detection of Lyssaviruses

Published on: May 2, 2019

8.9K

Related Concept Videos

MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns—non-coding regions of a gene—or intergenic regions—stretches of DNA present between genes. Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After...
24.2K
MicroRNAs01:22

MicroRNAs

MicroRNA (miRNA) are short, regulatory RNA transcribed from introns (non-coding regions of a gene) or intergenic regions (stretches of DNA present between genes). Several processing steps are required to form biologically active, mature miRNA. The initial transcript, called primary miRNA (pri-mRNA), base-pairs with itself, forming a stem-loop structure. Within the nucleus, an endonuclease enzyme, called Drosha, shortens the stem-loop structure into hairpin-shaped pre-miRNA. After the pre-miRNA...
4.0K
Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches01:23

Types of Biopharmaceutical Studies: Controlled and Non-Controlled Approaches

Biopharmaceutical studies constitute a vital field aiming to enhance drug delivery methods and refine therapeutic approaches, drawing upon diverse interdisciplinary knowledge. In research methodologies, the choice between controlled and non-controlled studies significantly influences the study's reliability and accuracy.
Non-controlled studies, commonly employed for initial exploration, lack a control group, rendering them susceptible to biases and external influences. In contrast,...
464
Coronary Circulation01:21

Coronary Circulation

The heart, an organ critical to survival, gets nourishment not from the blood it pumps but from a separate circulation system known as coronary circulation. This is the shortest circulation in the body and is responsible for supplying the heart with the nutrients it needs to function effectively.
Coronary circulation begins at the base of the aorta, where two main arteries arise—the left and right coronary arteries. These arteries encircle the heart in the coronary sulcus and supply the...
7.2K
Fetal Circulation01:14

Fetal Circulation

Fetal circulation is a unique system that facilitates the exchange of gases, nutrients, and waste products between the developing fetus and the mother. This intricate process takes place through a special organ called the placenta.
Two umbilical arteries transport blood from the fetus to the placenta. At the placenta, the blood absorbs oxygen and nutrients while simultaneously eliminating waste products. This oxygen-enriched and nutrient-rich blood then returns to the fetus through one...
2.9K
Overview of Pulmonary Circulation01:19

Overview of Pulmonary Circulation

The pulmonary circulation is a vital system in our body that acts as a bridge between the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. It serves as a transport network for deoxygenated blood from the heart to the lungs and then returns oxygen-rich blood back to the heart.
The process begins with the right ventricle of the heart pumping deoxygenated blood into the pulmonary trunk. This large vessel extends about 5 centimeters before splitting into the left and right pulmonary arteries. These arteries...
3.1K