title: The role of circulating microRNAs as novel biomarkers in diagnosing colorectal cancer: a meta-analysis.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Several microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as potential circulating biomarkers in a number of different cancers including colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aims to assess the diagnostic performance of circulating miRNAs in detecting CRC through meta-analysis of all eligible relevant studies.
  
  
  METHODS
  An extensive literature search was performed and studies that estimated the diagnostic accuracy of miRNAs in CRC were identified. Data from the eligible studies were collected and pooled; sensitivity, specificity, positive and negative likelihood ratios, diagnostic odds ratios, weighted symmetric summary ROC curve and the area under the curve (AUC) were calculated. Heterogeneity was evaluated using the Q-test and I(2)-statistics. In addition, subgroup analyses and meta-regression analyses were carried out to explore the potential sources of significant heterogeneity.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 16 studies were included in the meta-analysis according to the inclusion criteria. The overall analysis showed that circulating miRNAs have a relatively good diagnostic performance in CRC, with a sensitivity of 78%, a specificity of 79% and an AUC of 0.87. Subgroup analyses showed that a single miRNA-21 test, as opposed to a panel miRNAs test, significantly improved the diagnostic accuracy with 83.4% sensitivity, 91.6% specificity, and AUC increasing to 0.94.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Circulating miRNAs, especially miRNA-21, are promising diagnostic biomarkers in CRC. However, more prospective studies are required to further explore their diagnostic role and their usefulness in clinical practice.
authors: Gastroenterology Clinic, Henry Dunant Hospital Center, Athens, Greece.
authors: Theodore
authors: T
authors: Rokkas
authors: Fotis
authors: F
authors: Kothonas
authors: Androniki
authors: A
authors: Rokka
authors: Georgios
authors: G
authors: Koukoulis
authors: Emmanuel
authors: E
authors: Symvoulakis
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D011379:Prognosis; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D035683:MicroRNAs