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Updated: Jan 24, 2026

Isolation and Profiling of MicroRNA-containing Exosomes from Human Bile
Published on: June 13, 2016
MicroRNA profiling in serous cavity specimens: Diagnostic challenges and new opportunities
Lorenzo Nicolè1, Filippo Cappello2, Rocco Cappellesso1
1Surgical Pathology and Cytopathology Unit, Department of Medicine, University of Padua, Padua, Italy.
Abstract:
The cytomorphologic evaluation of serous cavity specimens can quickly determine the cause of an effusion as well as the presence or absence of a neoplastic process. Ancillary tests such as immunohistochemistry and fluorescence in situ hybridization are frequently used to help to definitively identify malignant cells, determine a site of origin, and distinguish between malignant and reactive mesothelial proliferations. In recent years, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been increasingly evaluated in cytologic specimens, including those from serous cavities. The examination of miRNA is attractive because of the stability of miRNA in such specimens and data suggesting that miRNA can provide prognostic and therapeutic information in addition to its role in diagnosis. Furthermore, miRNAs exist within extracellular exosomes, and this allows for their analysis in specimens that contain only rare malignant cells, degenerated cells, or obscuring components. This review discusses the technical aspects of specimen processing for miRNA analysis, recent studies of miRNA expression in malignant serous cavity specimens, and the potential importance of miRNA expression analysis for serous cavity specimens in the near future.
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