title: MicroRNAs as novel biomarkers in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma--a systematic review.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short non-coding RNAs that have the ability to regulate gene expression at the post-transcriptional level. MiRNAs are deregulated in many cancer types, and several miRNAs have been suggested as novel diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL). The objective of this study was to systematically collect and evaluate current knowledge of miRNAs functioning as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers within DLBCL.
  
  
  METHODS
  This review was conducted according to the Preferred Reporting for Systematic Reviews and Meta-analyses guidelines. A systematic search of literature in PubMed and Embase was made and supplemented by screening of reference lists. Only original peer-reviewed studies written in English were included and screened based on miRNA expression, molecular subtypes of DLBCL and patient outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Out of 277 candidate records, a total of 20 studies qualified for inclusion in this review. In all, 11 studies reported a total of 48 miRNAs with expression patterns associated with specific molecular DLBCL subtypes, and 14 studies reported a total of 30 miRNAs associated with patient outcome. However, only few miRNAs showed significant results in more than one study.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MiRNAs qualify as potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in DLBCL. However, more clinical validation including prospective and cross-centre studies are required before specific miRNAs can be integrated into the daily practice as biomarkers in DLBCL, which would contribute to an era of more personalised medicine.
authors.affiliation: Hæmatologisk Afdeling, Aalborg Universitetshospital, Sdr. Skovvej 15, 9000 Aalborg, Denmark. lauratheresakrogh@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Laura Krogh
authors.initials: LK
authors.lastname: Jørgensen
authors.forename: Mette Østergaard
authors.initials: MØ
authors.lastname: Poulsen
authors.forename: Maria Bach
authors.initials: MB
authors.lastname: Laursen
authors.forename: Sara Correia
authors.initials: SC
authors.lastname: Marques
authors.forename: Hans E
authors.initials: HE
authors.lastname: Johnsen
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bøgsted
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Dybkær
mesh_terms: D015415:Biomarkers / Q000097:blood*; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D006801:Humans; D016403:Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics*; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood*; D011379:Prognosis
chemical_list: D015415:Biomarkers; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D035683:MicroRNAs