A pilot study of circulating miRNAs as potential biomarkers of early stage breast cancer.

ABSTRACT:

Background

To date, there are no highly sensitive and specific minimally invasive biomarkers for detection of breast cancer at an early stage. The occurrence of circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) in blood components (including serum and plasma) has been repeatedly observed in cancer patients as well as healthy controls. Because of the significance of miRNA in carcinogenesis, circulating miRNAs in blood may be unique biomarkers for early and minimally invasive diagnosis of human cancers. The objective of this pilot study was to discover a panel of circulating miRNAs as potential novel breast cancer biomarkers.

Methodology/principal findings

Using microarray-based expression profiling followed by Real-Time quantitative Polymerase Cycle Reaction (RT-qPCR) validation, we compared th

SUBMITTER: Zhao H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2966402 | biostudies-literature | 2010 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature