miRNA as Biomarkers

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have attracted widespread attention as promising biomarkers due to their stability, specificity, and involvement in regulating gene expression in various physiological and pathological processes. miRNAs are small noncoding RNA molecules that regulate mRNAs post-transcriptionally, affecting key cellular functions such as proliferation, differentiation, and apoptosis. Their dysregulation has been implicated in many diseases, including cancer, cardiovascular disease, and neurodegenerative diseases, making them ideal candidates for non-invasive biomarkers in disease diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring.

1. Advantages of miRNAs as biomarkers

miRNAs have unique properties that make them particularly suitable as biomarkers:

(1) Stability: miRNAs are highly stable in body fluids such as blood, urine, saliva, and cerebrospinal fluid. They are resistant to degradation by RNases and remain intact under harsh conditions, making them easily detectable in clinical samples.

(2) Tissue specificity: Many miRNAs are expressed in a tissue- or disease-specific manner. This means that specific miRNAs may be associated with specific diseases or even different stages of disease progression.

(3) Non-invasive detection: miRNAs can be detected by non-invasive methods such as liquid biopsies (e.g., blood tests), providing a convenient and less invasive alternative to traditional tissue biopsies.

2. Applications of miRNAs in disease diagnosis and prognosis

(1) Cancer: Circulating miRNAs, such as miR-21 and let-7, are being explored as biomarkers for early cancer detection, treatment response, and prognosis. Specific miRNA signatures can help distinguish cancer types and stages.

(2) Cardiovascular disease: miRNAs such as miR-208 and miR-1 are potential biomarkers for myocardial infarction and heart failure, providing early diagnosis and insight into the severity of heart disease.

(3) Neurodegenerative diseases: In diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease, specific miRNAs have been found in cerebrospinal fluid and blood, offering potential for early diagnosis and disease monitoring.

In conclusion, miRNAs have great potential as biomarkers. They can provide a non-invasive, stable, and specific method for diagnosing and monitoring various diseases, paving the way for personalized medicine and improved patient outcomes.

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References

[1] Carmen Elena Condrat et al., Cells 2020 (doi: 10.3390/cells9020276)

[2] Gavin Metcalf, Oncogene 2024 (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41388-024-03076-3)

[3] Lorena Quirico and Francesca Orso, Cancer Drug Resist 2020 (10.20517/cdr.2019.103)