Table 1.

Possibilities and advantages of using miRNA for diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic purposes in cancer diseases.

Possible Applications of miRNA:

Predictors of response to therapy and prognostic biomarkers

Use of miRNA as a drug—modulation of gene expression

Prediction and detection of metastases or non-invasive tumor phenotypes

Cancer diagnostics—detection of tumor specific miRNA signatures

Advantages of Using miRNA:

Easy detection in various biological materials (serum/plasma, cerebrospinal fluid, faeces)

High stability of miRNA molecules

Ability to determine specific types of cancer, and predict response to therapy and prognosis based on miRNA expression profile

Potential for use as antagonists in cancer therapy