Breast cancer (BC) is a multifactorial disease caused by an interaction between genetic
predispos... more Breast cancer (BC) is a multifactorial disease caused by an interaction between genetic predisposition and environmental exposures. MicroRNAs are a group of small non-coding RNA molecules, which seem to have a role either as tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes and seem to be related to cancer risk factors. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify circulating microRNAs related to BC diagnosis, paying special attention to methodological problems in this research field. A meta-analysis was performed for microRNAs analyzed in at least three independent studies where sufficient data to make analysis were presented. Seventy-five studies were included in the systematic review. A meta-analysis was performed for microRNAs analyzed in at least three independent studies where sufficient data to make analysis were presented. Seven studies were included in the MIR21 and MIR155 meta-analysis, while four studies were included in the MIR10b metanalysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of MIR21 for BC diagnosis were 0.86 (95%CI 0.76–0.93) and 0.84 (95%CI 0.71–0.92), 0.83 (95%CI 0.72–0.91) and 0.90 (95%CI 0.69–0.97) for MIR155, and 0.56 (95%CI 0.32–0.71) and 0.95 (95%CI 0.88–0.98) for MIR10b, respectively. Several other microRNAs were found to be dysregulated, distinguishing BC patients from healthy controls. However, there was little consistency between included studies, making it difficult to identify specific microRNAs useful for diagnosis.
The analysis of circulating tumor cells and tumor-derived materials, such as circulating
tumor DN... more The analysis of circulating tumor cells and tumor-derived materials, such as circulating tumor DNA, circulating miRNAs (cfmiRNAs), and extracellular vehicles provides crucial information in cancer research. CfmiRNAs, a group of short noncoding regulatory RNAs, have gained attention as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. This review focuses on the discovery phases of cfmiRNA studies in breast cancer patients, aiming to identify altered cfmiRNA levels compared to healthy controls. A systematic literature search was conducted, resulting in 16 eligible publications. The studies included a total of 585 breast cancer cases and 496 healthy controls, with diverse sample types and different cfmiRNA assay panels. Several cfmiRNAs, including MIR16, MIR191, MIR484, MIR106a, and MIR193b, showed differential expressions between breast cancer cases and healthy controls. However, the studies had a high risk of bias and lacked standardized protocols. The findings highlight the need for robust study designs, standardized procedures, and larger sample sizes in discovery phase studies. Furthermore, the identified cfmiRNAs can serve as potential candidates for further validation studies in different populations. Improving the design and implementation of cfmiRNA research in liquid biopsies may enhance their clinical diagnostic utility in breast cancer patients.
Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Primary and
secondary preve... more Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. Primary and
secondary preventions are key to reducing the global burden. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of
small non-coding RNA molecules, which seem to have a role either as tumor suppressor genes or
oncogenes and to be related to cancer risk factors, such as obesity and inflammation. We conducted a
systematic review and meta-analysis to identify circulating miRNAs related to CRC diagnosis that
could be selected as biomarkers in a meet-in-the-middle analysis. Forty-four studies were included
in the systematic review and nine studies in the meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity
of miR-21 for CRC diagnosis were 77% (95% CI: 69–84) and 82% (95% CI: 70–90), respectively, with
an AUC of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.82–0.88). Several miRNAs were found to be dysregulated, distinguishing
patients with CRC from healthy controls. However, little consistency was present across the included
studies, making it challenging to identify specific miRNAs, which were consistently validated.
Understanding the mechanisms by which miRNAs become biologically embedded in cancer initiation
and promotion may help better understand cancer pathways to develop more effective prevention
strategies and therapy approaches.
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Papers by Lisa Padroni
predisposition and environmental exposures. MicroRNAs are a group of small non-coding RNA
molecules, which seem to have a role either as tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes and seem to
be related to cancer risk factors. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis to identify
circulating microRNAs related to BC diagnosis, paying special attention to methodological problems
in this research field. A meta-analysis was performed for microRNAs analyzed in at least three
independent studies where sufficient data to make analysis were presented. Seventy-five studies
were included in the systematic review. A meta-analysis was performed for microRNAs analyzed
in at least three independent studies where sufficient data to make analysis were presented. Seven
studies were included in the MIR21 and MIR155 meta-analysis, while four studies were included
in the MIR10b metanalysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity of MIR21 for BC diagnosis were
0.86 (95%CI 0.76–0.93) and 0.84 (95%CI 0.71–0.92), 0.83 (95%CI 0.72–0.91) and 0.90 (95%CI 0.69–0.97)
for MIR155, and 0.56 (95%CI 0.32–0.71) and 0.95 (95%CI 0.88–0.98) for MIR10b, respectively. Several
other microRNAs were found to be dysregulated, distinguishing BC patients from healthy controls.
However, there was little consistency between included studies, making it difficult to identify specific
microRNAs useful for diagnosis.
tumor DNA, circulating miRNAs (cfmiRNAs), and extracellular vehicles provides crucial information
in cancer research. CfmiRNAs, a group of short noncoding regulatory RNAs, have gained attention
as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. This review focuses on the discovery phases of cfmiRNA
studies in breast cancer patients, aiming to identify altered cfmiRNA levels compared to healthy
controls. A systematic literature search was conducted, resulting in 16 eligible publications. The
studies included a total of 585 breast cancer cases and 496 healthy controls, with diverse sample types
and different cfmiRNA assay panels. Several cfmiRNAs, including MIR16, MIR191, MIR484, MIR106a,
and MIR193b, showed differential expressions between breast cancer cases and healthy controls.
However, the studies had a high risk of bias and lacked standardized protocols. The findings highlight
the need for robust study designs, standardized procedures, and larger sample sizes in discovery
phase studies. Furthermore, the identified cfmiRNAs can serve as potential candidates for further
validation studies in different populations. Improving the design and implementation of cfmiRNA
research in liquid biopsies may enhance their clinical diagnostic utility in breast cancer patients.
secondary preventions are key to reducing the global burden. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of
small non-coding RNA molecules, which seem to have a role either as tumor suppressor genes or
oncogenes and to be related to cancer risk factors, such as obesity and inflammation. We conducted a
systematic review and meta-analysis to identify circulating miRNAs related to CRC diagnosis that
could be selected as biomarkers in a meet-in-the-middle analysis. Forty-four studies were included
in the systematic review and nine studies in the meta-analysis. The pooled sensitivity and specificity
of miR-21 for CRC diagnosis were 77% (95% CI: 69–84) and 82% (95% CI: 70–90), respectively, with
an AUC of 0.86 (95% CI: 0.82–0.88). Several miRNAs were found to be dysregulated, distinguishing
patients with CRC from healthy controls. However, little consistency was present across the included
studies, making it challenging to identify specific miRNAs, which were consistently validated.
Understanding the mechanisms by which miRNAs become biologically embedded in cancer initiation
and promotion may help better understand cancer pathways to develop more effective prevention
strategies and therapy approaches.