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miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues
Published on: September 8, 2015
MicroRNAs in Penile Cancer: A Systematic Review of Diagnostic, Prognostic, and Mechanistic Evidence
Xiaohu Zhang1, Fakhri Rahman1, John D Kelly2
1Division of Surgery and Interventional Sciences, University College London, London, UK.
Context:
Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare malignancy associated with substantial morbidity and limited prognostic biomarkers. MicroRNAs have been reported as candidate molecular markers and putative regulators of tumor biology in individual PSCC studies, but their clinical relevance remains uncertain.
Objective:
This systematic review aimed to map and summarize current evidence on candidate miRNAs in PSCC, with emphasis on reported diagnostic, prognostic, and mechanistic associations.
Evidence Acquisition:
A systematic literature search of PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, and Scopus was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. Studies investigating miRNA expression in PSCC tissues or biofluids and reporting clinical or mechanistic outcomes were included. Data extraction and quality assessment were performed independently by two reviewers using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation (GRADE) framework.
Evidence Synthesis:
Multiple dysregulated miRNAs were identified, with distinct profiles associated with tumor presence, lymph node metastasis, and survival outcomes. Oncogenic miRNAs such as miR-21 and miR-223 were reported in studies implicating PTEN/PI3K/AKT and invasion-related pathways, while tumor-suppressive miRNAs including miR-145 and miR-1 were reported as downregulated in selected studies of metastatic or adverse clinicopathological disease. HPV-associated miRNA signatures demonstrated divergent regulatory patterns, reflecting distinct molecular subtypes of PSCC. However, evidence was limited by small sample sizes, methodological heterogeneity, and lack of external validation.
Conclusions:
Reported miRNA signatures represent molecular associations in PSCC, but current evidence is insufficient to support risk stratification or clinical decision-making. Standardized, large multicenter cohorts and independent external validation are required before any miRNA-based marker can be considered for clinical implementation in PSCC.
Insights
MicroRNAs show potential as biomarkers for penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC), but current evidence is insufficient for clinical use. Further validation in large cohorts is needed to establish their role in risk stratification and treatment decisions for PSCC.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarker Discovery
Background:
- Penile squamous cell carcinoma (PSCC) is a rare cancer with limited prognostic markers.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are investigated as potential molecular markers and regulators in PSCC.
Purpose of the Study:
- To systematically review and summarize evidence on candidate miRNAs in PSCC.
- To assess reported diagnostic, prognostic, and mechanistic associations of miRNAs in PSCC.
Main Methods:
- Systematic literature search of major databases (PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, Scopus) following PRISMA guidelines.
- Inclusion of studies on miRNA expression in PSCC tissues/biofluids with clinical or mechanistic outcomes.
- Data extraction and quality assessment using Newcastle-Ottawa Scale and GRADE framework.
Main Results:
- Multiple dysregulated miRNAs identified with distinct profiles linked to tumor presence, metastasis, and survival.
- Oncogenic (e.g., miR-21, miR-223) and tumor-suppressive (e.g., miR-145, miR-1) miRNAs implicated in PSCC pathways.
- HPV-associated miRNA signatures suggest distinct molecular subtypes, but evidence is limited by small sample sizes and heterogeneity.
Conclusions:
- Current miRNA signatures in PSCC show molecular associations but lack sufficient evidence for clinical application.
- Large, standardized multicenter cohorts and external validation are essential for implementing miRNA-based markers in PSCC.
- More research is needed to establish reliable miRNA biomarkers for PSCC risk stratification and clinical decision-making.
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