MicroRNAs as Biomarkers of Cervical Cancers

Invasive cervical cancer is a very common cause of cancer death in women worldwide, primarily due to late detection of this cancer. The clinical manifestations of cervical cancer vary significantly and are difficult to predict. Finding new effective biomarkers for the early detection of cervical cancer is essential to reducing mortality. Small microRNA molecules have also recently emerged as potential biomarker candidates in the diagnosis of cervical cancer. Despite analytical limitations in microRNA assays and the lack of automated and standardized tests, validated and prospective systematic evaluation of this new parameter in cervical cancer deserves further development. This review describes the importance and potential usefulness of microRNAs in detecting cervical cancer at an early stage, monitoring the course of the disease, and assessing the effectiveness of treatment. The diagnostic importance of microRNAs is well documented in many publications, suggesting that, as microRNA research progresses, they may become a useful diagnostic tool for cervical cancer.