MicroRNAs: A novel potential biomarker for diagnosis and therapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

BACKGROUND: Lung cancer is still one of the most serious causes of cancer-related deaths all over the world. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are defined as small non-coding RNAs which could play a pivotal role in post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression. Increasing evidence demonstrated dysregulation of miRNA expression associates with the development and progression of NSCLC.

AIMS: To emphasize a variety of tissue-specific miRNAs, circulating miRNAs and miRNA-derived exosomes could be used as potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers in NSCLC patients.

MATERIALS & METHODS: In the current review, we paid attention to the significant discoveries of preclinical and clinical studies, which performed on tissue-specific miRNA, circulating miRNA and exosomal miRNA. The related studies were obtained through a systematic search of Pubmed, Web of Science, Embase.

RESULTS: A variety of tissue-specific miRNAs and circulating miRNAs with high sensitivity and specificity which could be used as potential diagnostic and therapeutic biomarkers in NSCLC patients. In addition, we emphasize that the miRNA-derived exosomes become novel diagnostic biomarkers potentially in these patients with NSCLC.

CONCLUSION: MiRNAs have emerged as non-coding RNAs, which have potential to be candidates for the diagnosis and therapy of NSCLC.