title: Cell-free nucleic acids as non-invasive biomarkers of gynecological cancers, ovarian, endometrial and obstetric disorders and fetal aneuploidy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Proper folliculogenesis is fundamental to obtain a competent oocyte that, once fertilized, can support the acquisition of embryo developmental competence and pregnancy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are crucial regulators of folliculogenesis, which are expressed in the cumulus-oocyte complex and in granulosa cells and some can also be found in the bloodstream. These circulating miRNAs are intensively studied and used as diagnostic/prognostic markers of many diseases, including gynecological and pregnancy disorders. In addition, serum contains small amounts of cell-free DNA (cfDNA), presumably resulting from the release of genetic material from apoptotic/necrotic cells. The quantification of nucleic acids in serum samples could be used as a diagnostic tool for female infertility.
  
  
  METHODS
  An overview of the published literature on miRNAs, and particularly on the use of circulating miRNAs and cfDNA as non-invasive biomarkers of gynecological diseases, was performed (up to January 2014).
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the past decade, cell-free nucleic acids have been studied for potential use as biomarkers in many diseases, particularly in gynecological cancers, ovarian and endometrial disorders, as well as in pregnancy-related pathologies and fetal aneuploidy. The data strongly suggest that the concentration of cell-free nucleic acids in serum from IVF patients or in embryo culture medium could be related to the ovarian hormone status and embryo quality, respectively, and be used as a non-invasive biomarker of IVF outcome.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The profiling of circulating nucleic acids, such as miRNAs and cfDNA, opens new perspectives for the diagnosis/prognosis of ovarian disorders and for the prediction of IVF outcomes, namely (embryo quality and pregnancy).
authors: CHU Montpellier, Institute for Research in Biotherapy, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Traver
authors: CHU Montpellier, Institute for Research in Biotherapy, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France Université Montpellier 1, UFR de Médecine, Montpellier, France.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Assou
authors: CHU Montpellier, Institute for Research in Biotherapy, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France Université Montpellier 1, UFR de Médecine, Montpellier, France.
authors: E
authors: E
authors: Scalici
authors: CHU Montpellier, Institute for Research in Biotherapy, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France.
authors: D
authors: D
authors: Haouzi
authors: CHU Montpellier, Institute for Research in Biotherapy, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France Université Montpellier 1, UFR de Médecine, Montpellier, France.
authors: T
authors: T
authors: Al-Edani
authors: Eylau-Unilabs Laboratory, Paris, France.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Belloc
authors: CHU Montpellier, Institute for Research in Biotherapy, Hôpital Saint-Eloi, INSERM U1040, Montpellier, France Université Montpellier 1, UFR de Médecine, Montpellier, France ART-PGD Department, Hôpital Arnaud de Villeneuve, CHU Montpellier, Montpellier, France s-hamamah@chu-montpellier.fr.
authors: S
authors: S
authors: Hamamah
mesh_terms: D000782:Aneuploidy; D015415:Biomarkers / Q000032:analysis*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D047108:Embryonic Development / Q000502:physiology; D005260:Female; D005333:Fetus; D005831:Genital Diseases, Female / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D005833:Genital Neoplasms, Female / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000503:physiopathology; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood; D009696:Nucleic Acids / Q000032:analysis*; D010049:Ovarian Diseases / Q000235:genetics / Q000503:physiopathology; D011247:Pregnancy; D011379:Prognosis; D014591:Uterine Diseases / Q000503:physiopathology*
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D035683:MicroRNAs; D009696:Nucleic Acids
keywords: MicroRNAs; cell-free DNA; infertility; non-invasive biomarkers