Diagnostic value of microRNAs in asbestos exposure and malignant mesothelioma: systematic review and qualitative meta-analysis.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Asbestos is a harmful and exceptionally persistent natural material. Malignant mesothelioma (MM), an asbestos-related disease, is an insidious, lethal cancer that is poorly responsive to current treatments. Minimally invasive, specific, and sensitive biomarkers providing early and effective diagnosis in high-risk patients are urgently needed. MicroRNAs (miRNAs, miRs) are endogenous, non-coding, small RNAs with established diagnostic value in cancer and pollution exposure. A systematic review and a qualitative meta-analysis were conducted to identify high-confidence miRNAs that can serve as biomarkers of asbestos exposure and MM.

Methods

The major biomedical databases were systematically searched for miRNA expression signatures related to asbestos exposure and MM.

SUBMITTER: Micolucci L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5295457 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature