Table 2.
Most promising miRNA biomarkers with diagnostic significance
| miRNA | Supporting evidence | Limitations | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Colorectal cancer
| |||
| miR-21 | • One of the most abundant miRNAs | • Not cancer specific | Serum, Plasma |
| • Highly upregulated miRNAs in solid tumors | • Upregulated by inflammation | ||
| • One of the most studied diagnostic circulating miRNAs | • Affected by hemolysis | ||
| • Suitable for early diagnosis | |||
| miR-29a | • Unaffected by hemolysis | Serum, Plasma | |
| • Suitable for early diagnosis | |||
| miR-92a | • One of the most abundant miRNAs | • Influenced by hemolysis | Serum, Plasma |
|
Gastric cancer | |||
| miR-21 | • Same as above | • Upregulated by H. pylori infection | Serum, Plasma |
| miR-27a | • Well-established oncogene | • Upregulated by H. pylori infection | Serum, Plasma |
| • Unaffected by hemolysis | |||
|
Hepatocellular carcinoma | |||
| miR-21 | • Same as above | • Upregulated by hepatitis virus infection | Serum, Plasma, Exosome |
| miR-192 | • Suitable for early diagnosis | • Upregulated by hepatitis virus infection | Serum, Plasma |
|
Pancreatic cancer | |||
| miR-21 | • Same as above | • Same as above | Serum, Plasma, Exosome |
| miR-223 | • Unaffected by hemolysis | • Influenced by aspirin | Plasma, Whole blood |
| • Overexpressed in early stage pancreatic cancer | |||