MicroRNA Quantification in Cancer Biomarkers

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short, non-coding RNA molecules of approximately 18–25 nucleotides that modulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Their dysregulation is implicated in cancer initiation, progression and metastasis, making circulating and tissue-derived miRNAs attractive biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic monitoring. Quantification typically relies on reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR), digital PCR or next-generation sequencing, each offering distinct trade-offs between sensitivity, throughput and cost. Key challenges include low and variable abundance, the need for efficient miRNA extraction from serum, plasma or formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissue, and rigorous normalisation to control for technical and biological variation. Reliable endogenous reference genes or exogenous spike-ins are essential to correct for differences in RNA integrity, reverse transcription efficiency and platform bias. Advances in exosome isolation have enabled enrichment of tumour-derived miRNAs, while emerging multiplex panels improve specificity. Standardisation of sample processing, data analysis and reporting remains critical to translate miRNA biomarkers into clinical assays with consistent performance across laboratories and patient populations.

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MicroRNA Quantification in Cancer Biomarkers publication trend

The graph below shows the total number of articles in microrna quantification in cancer biomarkers across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).

Technical terms

MicroRNA (miRNA): Small non-coding RNA that regulates gene expression post-transcriptionally.

Biomarker: Biological molecule indicating normal or pathogenic processes or responses to therapy.

RT-qPCR: Reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction, a method to quantify RNA levels.

Normalization: Process of correcting quantitative data for technical or sample variation.

Reference gene: Endogenous control with stable expression used to normalise RT-qPCR data.

Exosome: Small extracellular vesicle that carries proteins and nucleic acids, including miRNAs, between cells.

References

1. Considering Exosomal miR-21 as a Biomarker for Cancer. Journal of Clinical Medicine (2016).
2. miR-16-5p Is a Stably-Expressed Housekeeping MicroRNA in Breast Cancer Tissues from Primary Tumors and from Metastatic Sites. International Journal of Molecular Sciences (2016).
3. Identification and Validation of Reference Genes for qPCR Detection of Serum microRNAs in Colorectal Adenocarcinoma Patients. PLOS ONE (2013).