Recent scenario of microRNA as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of prostate cancer

Urol Oncol. 2017 Mar;35(3):92-101. doi: 10.1016/j.urolonc.2016.10.019. Epub 2016 Nov 24.

Abstract

Prostate cancer (CaP) is a leading cause of cancer death and displays a broad range of clinical behavior from relatively indolent to aggressive metastatic disease. Due to the alteration and incomplete characterization of the CaP genomic markers, the quest for novel cellular metabolic regulatory molecules like micro RNA (miRNA) as a biomarker could be considered for the prognosis and treatment of CaP in future. In this article, we review the existing literature pertaining to CaP. Study provides a comprehensive miRNA profile expressed in CaP. Beside the miRNA expressed in the tumor tissue, circulating miRNAs have been found highly stable and are both detectable and quantifiable in a range of accessible bio fluids; therefore, miRNA has the potential to be useful diagnostic, prognostic and predictive biomarker. Along with being an important molecule in modulation of CaP progression, the miRNA have certain limitations such as lack of stable expression of multiple target genes and often disrupt entire signaling networks of cellular metabolic pathways. We conclude that: The alteration of miRNA and their role played in cellular regulatory networks would be the next target of basic research in CaP. The miRNAs identified may be validated and modeled to understand their role in CaP, using bioinformatics. There is an immediate unmet need in the translational approach of identified miRNAs. The characterization of miRNAs involved in CaP is still incomplete: adequate validation studies are required to corroborate current results.

Keywords: Biomarker; Diagnostics; MicroRNA; Prognostics; Prostate cancer.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / analysis
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism*
  • Carcinogenesis / genetics
  • Circulating MicroRNA / analysis
  • Disease Progression
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / analysis
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism*
  • Neoplasm Grading
  • Prognosis
  • Prostate / pathology
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen / blood
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Prostatic Neoplasms / therapy
  • Receptors, Androgen / genetics
  • Receptors, Androgen / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / genetics

Substances

  • AR protein, human
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Circulating MicroRNA
  • MicroRNAs
  • Receptors, Androgen
  • Prostate-Specific Antigen