Plasma Circular RNAs in Breast Cancer: From Biomarker Potential to Functional Significance

Area of Science:

• Biochemistry
• Molecular Biology
• Oncology

Background:

• Breast cancer diagnosis traditionally relies on invasive biopsies.
• Liquid biopsy using circulating biomarkers offers a less invasive alternative.
• Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are stable, covalently closed RNA molecules found in blood, showing potential as cancer biomarkers.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review evidence on circRNA biogenesis, function, and plasma signatures in breast cancer.
• To highlight the diagnostic and prognostic potential of plasma circRNAs for breast cancer.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on circRNAs in breast cancer.
• Analysis of dysregulated plasma circRNA signatures.
• Comparison of circRNA performance with traditional tumor markers.

Main Results:

• Several plasma circRNAs demonstrated diagnostic and prognostic value in breast cancer.
• Upregulated hsa_circ_0001785 outperformed CEA and CA15-3 in breast cancer detection and correlated with advanced disease.
• Other circRNAs (hsa_circ_0108942, hsa_circ_0042881, hsa_circ_0068033, hsa_circ_0104824) showed correlations with tumor size, metastasis, and stage.
• Subtype-specific circRNAs (circEGFR, circ-FOXO3) were identified with distinct clinical correlations.

Conclusions:

• Plasma circRNAs are promising minimally invasive biomarkers for breast cancer early detection, risk stratification, and monitoring.
• Further research requires larger cohorts, standardized methods, and prospective evaluations for clinical utility.