title: microRNAs as cancer biomarkers.
abstract: Since their discovery in 1993, microRNAs (miRNAs) have been identified as important gene regulators in many biological processes and as key molecular players in human disease, including cancer where they show specific pathogenic deregulation. Their remarkable chemical stability, the availability of very sensitive miRNA detection methods and the fact that miRNAs can be extracted from and detected in various kinds of clinically relevant samples, such as solid tissues, body fluids and secretions make them excellent candidate biomarkers. However, no miRNA has yet entered the level of practical clinical relevance. We present a brief background and some key aspects and challenges of miRNAs as cancer biomarkers, we discuss shortfalls and identify possible routes towards the use of miRNAs as reliable biomarkers for cancer.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Gastroenterological Surgery , Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway ;|b Department of Tumor Biology , Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway ;|c Institute of Clinical Medicine , University of Oslo , Oslo , Norway.
authors.forename: Kjersti
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Flatmark
authors.affiliation: b Department of Tumor Biology , Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway ;
authors.forename: Eirik
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Høye
authors.affiliation: b Department of Tumor Biology , Norwegian Radium Hospital, Oslo University Hospital , Oslo , Norway ;
authors.forename: Bastian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Fromm
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D030541:Databases, Genetic; D005189:False Positive Reactions; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D009928:Organ Specificity; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D035683:MicroRNAs; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D012334:RNA, Neoplasm
keywords: Biomarker; cancer; miRNA