Medical Biochemistry Department, Medicine and Clinical Studies Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt (S.M.E-D., S.A.G.); Cancer Biology and Genetics Laboratory, Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt (S.M.E-D.); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Discipline of Pharmacology, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Louisiana-Monroe, Monroe, Louisiana (Z.Y.A.)
Medical Biochemistry Department, Medicine and Clinical Studies Research Institute, National Research Centre, Dokki, Cairo, Egypt (S.M.E-D., S.A.G.); Cancer Biology and Genetics Laboratory, Centre of Excellence for Advanced Sciences, National Research Centre, Cairo, Egypt (S.M.E-D.); and Department of Biomedical Sciences, Discipline of Pharmacology, Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of Louisiana-Monroe, Monroe, Louisiana (Z.Y.A.).
J Pharmacol Exp Ther. 2023 Jan;384(1):35-51. doi: 10.1124/jpet.121.000896. Epub 2022 Jul 9.
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the development of human malignancies, and cells have the ability to secrete these molecules into extracellular compartments. Thus, cell-free miRNAs (circulating miRNAs) can potentially be used as biomarkers to evaluate pathophysiological changes. Although circulating miRNAs have been proposed as potential noninvasive tumor biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and response to therapy, their routine application in the clinic is far from being achieved. This review focuses on the recent progress regarding the value of circulating miRNAs as noninvasive biomarkers, with specific consideration of their relevant clinical applications. In addition, we provide an in-depth analysis of the technical challenges that impact the assessment of circulating miRNAs. We also highlight the significance of integrating circulating miRNAs with the standard laboratory biomarkers to boost sensitivity and specificity. The current status of circulating miRNAs in clinical trials as tumor biomarkers is also covered. These insights and general guidelines will assist researchers in experimental practice to ensure quality standards and repeatability, thus improving future studies on circulating miRNAs. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: Our review will boost the knowledge behind the inconsistencies and contradictory results observed among studies investigating circulating miRNAs. It will also provide a solid platform for better-planned strategies and standardized techniques to optimize the assessment of circulating cell-free miRNAs.
微小 RNA（miRNA）参与人类恶性肿瘤的发生，细胞具有将这些分子分泌到细胞外隔室的能力。因此，无细胞 miRNA（循环 miRNA）可作为评估病理生理变化的生物标志物。尽管循环 miRNA 已被提议作为潜在的非侵入性肿瘤生物标志物用于诊断、预后和治疗反应，但它们在临床上的常规应用还远未实现。本综述重点关注循环 miRNA 作为非侵入性生物标志物的最新进展，特别考虑了它们的相关临床应用。此外，我们深入分析了影响循环 miRNA 评估的技术挑战。我们还强调了将循环 miRNA 与标准实验室生物标志物相结合以提高敏感性和特异性的重要性。还涵盖了循环 miRNA 在临床试验中作为肿瘤生物标志物的现状。这些见解和一般准则将有助于研究人员在实验实践中确保质量标准和可重复性，从而改进循环 miRNA 的未来研究。
我们的综述将深入了解在研究循环 miRNA 时观察到的不一致和矛盾结果的背后原因。它还将为更好的规划策略和标准化技术提供坚实的平台，以优化循环无细胞 miRNA 的评估。
