The potential of circulating cell free RNA as a biomarker in cancer

• Published in: Expert review of molecular diagnostics Vol. 19; no. 7; p. 579
• Main Authors: Cheung, Ka Wan Emily, Choi, Sin-Yu Rachel, Lee, Lok Ting Claire, Lee, Nga Lam Ella, Tsang, Hin Fung, Cheng, Yin Tung, Cho, William Chi Shing, Wong, Elaine Yue Ling, Wong, Sze Chuen Cesar
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England 03.07.2019
• Subjects: Biomarkers, Tumor; Cell-Free Nucleic Acids; Early Detection of Cancer - methods; Early Detection of Cancer - standards; Humans; Liquid Biopsy - methods; Liquid Biopsy - standards; MicroRNAs - genetics; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques - methods; Molecular Diagnostic Techniques - standards; Neoplasms - blood; Neoplasms - diagnosis; Neoplasms - genetics; Prognosis; RNA; RNA, Messenger - genetics; messenger RNAs; microRNAs; Circulating cell-free RNA; cancer biomarkers; molecular diagnosis; noninvasive cancer screening
• ISSN: 1744-8352
• DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2019.1633307

: It is now clear that circulating cell-free ribonucleic acids (ccfRNAs), including messenger RNA (mRNA) and miRNA, are potential cancer biomarkers. As ccfmiRNA is relatively more stable than ccfmRNA, research should concentrate on developing novel methods to preserve the stability of ccfmRNA and standardization of the protocol which includes extraction, detection, and multicenter validation. : This literature review concentrates on the potential of ccfRNA being used as a biomarker in cancer, with special focus on mRNAs and microRNAs (miRNAs). : With the advancement of high-throughput technologies such as RNA sequencing, a panel of biomarkers will be used for the diagnosis, prognosis and therapeutic monitoring of cancer patients. In order to achieve this important target, bioinformatics education to pathologists, scientists, and technologists in molecular diagnostic laboratories is essential. Moreover, the panel of these new ccfRNAs biomarkers has to obtain approval or clearance from an authority such as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and the standard of utilizing these new protocols has to be recognized via accreditation exercise. Therefore, there is still a long way to go before an extensively use of ccfRNA biomarkers in cancer patients can be realized.