We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us

Download Mobile App




MicroRNA Biomarker Distinguishes Growth of Aggressive Prostate Tumors

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 08 Jul 2019
A microRNA biomarker found in the urine of men with prostate cancer can distinguish slow growing cancers from potentially life-threatening aggressive tumors.

Current screening tools, including biopsy and blood screening for prostate specific antigen (PSA), are not able to differentiate between the 25% to 40% of patients with slow growing clinically insignificant disease, and the 20% to 35% of patients with aggressive prostate cancer who may not receive appropriate treatment.

Investigators at the University of California, Los Angeles (USA) and collaborators at the University of Toronto (Canada) sought to develop a non-invasive test for the early detection of aggressive prostate tumors and hypothesized that miRNAs in the urine might prove to be appropriate biomarkers for this purpose.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and short interfering RNAs (siRNA) comprise a class of about 20 nucleotides-long RNA fragments that block gene expression by attaching to molecules of messenger RNA in a fashion that prevents them from transmitting the protein synthesizing instructions they had received from the DNA. More...
MiRNAs resemble siRNAs of the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway, except miRNAs derive from regions of RNA transcripts that fold back on themselves to form short hairpins, whereas siRNAs derive from longer regions of double-stranded RNA. With their capacity to fine-tune protein expression via sequence-specific interactions, miRNAs help regulate cell maintenance and differentiation. Furthermore, miRNAs play essential roles in tumor development, are stable under diverse analytical conditions, and can be readily detected in body fluids.

For this study, the investigators measured the longitudinal stability of 673 miRNAs collected from serial urine samples from 10 patients with localized prostate cancer. They then measured temporally stable miRNAs in an independent training cohort and created a biomarker predictive of Gleason grade using machine-learning techniques. Finally, they validated this biomarker in an independent validation cohort.

Results revealed that each individual had a specific urine miRNA fingerprint. These fingerprints were temporally stable, and associated with specific biological functions. Seven miRNAs were identified that were stable over time within individual patients, and these were combined with machine-learning techniques to create a novel biomarker for prostate cancer that overcame inter-individual variability. This urine biomarker robustly identified high-risk patients and achieved similar accuracy as tissue-based diagnostic markers.

"We developed a three-stage experimental strategy that would maximize statistical and data science considerations to give us the best chance of finding a biomarker to predict prostate cancer aggressiveness," said senior author Dr. Paul Boutros, professor of urology and human genetics at the University of California, Los Angeles. "What this test does is gives the clinician, the patient, and their caregivers confidence in their treatment plan."

The study was published in the June 4, 2019, online edition of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute.

Related Links:
University of California, Los Angeles
University of Toronto


New
Gold Member
Serological Pipets
INTEGRA Serological Pipets
POC Helicobacter Pylori Test Kit
Hepy Urease Test
New
HBV DNA Test
GENERIC HBV VIRAL LOAD VER 2.0
New
8-Channel Pipette
SAPPHIRE 20–300 µL
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: The microfluidic device for passive separation of platelet-rich plasma from whole blood (Photo courtesy of University of the Basque Country)

Portable and Disposable Device Obtains Platelet-Rich Plasma Without Complex Equipment

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) plays a crucial role in regenerative medicine due to its ability to accelerate healing and repair tissue. However, obtaining PRP traditionally requires expensive centrifugation... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: PD-1 protein blockade is the standard treatment for advanced melanoma among the different types of immunotherapy (Photo courtesy of 123RF)

Precision Tool Predicts Immunotherapy Treatment Failure in Melanoma Patients

Melanoma, though accounting for only about 4% of skin tumors, is the deadliest form of skin cancer due to its high potential to metastasize. While immunotherapy, especially PD-1 protein blockade, has revolutionized... Read more

Pathology

view channel
Image: Virtual staining of label-free tissue in imaging mass spectrometry (Photo courtesy of Ozcan Lab/UCLA)

Deep Learning Advances Imaging Mass Spectrometry with Virtual Histological Detail

Imaging mass spectrometry (IMS) is a powerful technique that can map thousands of molecular species in biological tissues with exceptional chemical specificity. However, IMS is hindered by relatively low... Read more

Industry

view channel
Image: Alzheimer’s Association has released its first clinical practice guideline for blood-based biomarker tests (Photo courtesy of Alzheimer’s Association)

New Clinical Guidelines Recommend Use of Blood Tests Instead of Brain Scans for Alzheimer’s Diagnosis

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive neurodegenerative condition that remains challenging to diagnose early and accurately, particularly in individuals with cognitive impairment. Despite the availability... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.