Novel Approach to Fecal Occult Blood Testing by Assay of Erythrocyte-Specific microRNA Markers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) has historically relied on methods to detect hemoglobin with no fundamental innovations in decades.

Aim

To examine microRNA (miRNA) as a new marker class for FOBT.

Methods

Candidate miRNA markers were identified by small RNA sequencing of human whole blood compared to colorectal epithelia. Markers were tested in human blood cell subsets and blood from non-human species. We assessed assay linearity in blood spiking and marker stability in stool over incubation experiments. Levels of candidate erythrocyte markers were explored in stools from colorectal cancer (CRC) cases and controls.

Results

Based on small RNA sequencing and validation RT-qPCR, expression level of each of the top blood-enriched markers (hsa-miR-144-3p

SUBMITTER: Wu CW 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6021130 | biostudies-literature | 2017 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature