Journal Article Review Epublish 12 citations
PubMed: 34771419 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13215252
Unveiling the World of Circulating and Exosomal microRNAs in Renal Cell Carcinoma.
Cancers (Basel) 13(21)
Authors: José Pedro Sequeira, Vera Constâncio, João Lobo, Rui Henrique, Carmen Jerónimo
Affiliations
- Cancer Biology & Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeid, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Master Programme in Oncology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal.
- Doctoral Programme in Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal.
Abstract
Renal cell carcinoma is the third most common urological cancer. Despite recent advances, late diagnosis and poor prognosis of advanced-stage disease remain a major problem, entailing the need for novel early diagnosis tools. Liquid biopsies represent a promising minimally invasive clinical tool, providing real-time feedback of tumor behavior and biological potential, addressing its clonal evolution and representing its heterogeneity. In particular, the study of circulating microRNAs and exosomal microRNAs in liquid biopsies experienced an exponential increase in recent years, considering the potential clinical utility and available technology that facilitates implementation. Herein, we provide a systematic review on the applicability of these biomarkers in the context of renal cell carcinoma. Issues such as additional benefit from extracting microRNAs transported in extracellular vesicles, use for subtyping and representation of different histological types, correlation with tumor burden, and prediction of patient outcome are also addressed. Despite the need for more conclusive research, available data indicate that exosomal microRNAs represent a robust minimally invasive biomarker for renal cell carcinoma. Thus, innovative research on microRNAs and novel detection techniques are likely to provide clinically relevant biomarkers, overcome current clinical challenges, and improve patient management.
MeSH
Cells, Extracellular Vesicles, Micrornas, Neoplasms, Biopsy, Carcinoma, Renal Cell, Biomarkers, Exosomes, Diagnosis, Research, Liquid Biopsy
Cited by
- Importance and implications of exosomes in nephrology and urology. Pflugers Arch, 2023
- LiKidMiRs: A ddPCR-Based Panel of 4 Circulating miRNAs for Detection of Renal Cell Carcinoma. Cancers (Basel), 2022
- Meta-analysis of the diagnostic value of exosomal microRNAs in renal cell carcinoma. Front Oncol, 2024
- A Novel, Simple, and Low-Cost Approach for Machine Learning Screening of Kidney Cancer: An Eight-Indicator Blood Test Panel with Predictive Value for Early Diagnosis. Curr Oncol, 2022
- SERS Liquid Biopsy Profiling of Serum for the Diagnosis of Kidney Cancer. Biomedicines, 2022
- Non-coding RNAs secreted by renal cancer include piR_004153 that promotes migration of mesenchymal stromal cells. Cell Commun Signal, 2025
- OncoUroMiR: Circulating miRNAs for Detection and Discrimination of the Main Urological Cancers Using a ddPCR-Based Approach. Int J Mol Sci, 2023
- The miR-21-5p, miR-30c-5p, and miR-182-5p as Biomarkers in Clear Cell Renal Cell Carcinoma: A Southeastern Romanian Cohort Study. Genes (Basel), 2025