Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38564603›Full record

ReviewMolecular oncology2025

Subpar reporting of pre-analytical variables in RNA-focused blood plasma studies.

Céleste Van Der Schueren, Philippe Decruyenaere, Francisco Avila Cobos, Johanna Bult, Jill Deleu, Laudonia Lidia Dipalo, Hetty Hilde Helsmoortel, Eva Hulstaert, Annelien Morlion, Elena Ramos Varas and 7 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Molecular oncology, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 7 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
7citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

7 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Review
  2. Review
  3. Review
  4. Extracellular RNAs as Messengers and Early Biomarkers in Neurodegeneration.International journal of molecular sciences · 2025
    Review
  5. Review
  6. Article
  7. Review
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

17 authors.

Céleste Van Der SchuerenDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8160-1339
Philippe DecruyenaereDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7118-8344
Francisco Avila CobosDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8816-9243
Johanna BultDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0000-6090-4448
Jill DeleuDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0921-6003
Laudonia Lidia DipaloDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0001-3814-104X
Hetty Hilde HelsmoortelDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3412-7301
Eva HulstaertDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4610-4599
Annelien MorlionDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1791-2359
Elena Ramos VarasDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0009-0007-0470-9892
Kathleen SchoofsDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4711-3558
Wim TrypsteenDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9066-4932
Eveline Vanden EyndeDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0003-0454-4171
Hanne Van DroogenbroeckDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6676-7077
Kimberly VerniersDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7693-5908
Jo VandesompeleDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6274-0184
Anneleen DecockDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine, Ghent University, Belgium.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1091-0927

Funding

Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds UGent BOF17/PDO/037Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds UGent BOF19/DOC/228Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds UGent BOF21/PDO/007Bijzonder Onderzoeksfonds UGent BOF22/CDV/077Fonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek 1133120NFonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek 11C1621NFonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek 11H7523NFonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek 1224021NFonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek 12Q6217NFonds Wetenschappelijk Onderzoek G0B2820NKom op tegen KankerLiquidhope Transcan-2 project and the European Union's Horizon 2020 research and innovation program 826121Stichting Tegen Kanker
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Extracellular RNA (cell-free RNA; exRNA) from blood-derived liquid biopsies is an appealing, minimally invasive source of disease biomarkers. As pre-analytical variables strongly influence exRNA measurements, their reporting is essential for meaningful interpretation and replication of results. The aim of this review was to chart to what extent pre-analytical variables are documented, to pinpoint shortcomings and to improve future reporting. In total, 200 blood plasma exRNA studies published in 2018 or 2023 were reviewed for annotation of 22 variables associated with blood collection, plasma preparation, and RNA purification. Our results show that pre-analytical variables are poorly documented, with only three out of 22 variables described in over half of the publications. The percentage of variables reported ranged from 4.6% to 54.6% (mean 24.84%) in 2023 and from 4.6% to 57.1% (mean 28.60%) in 2018. Recommendations and guidelines (i.e., BRISQ, ASCO-CAP, BloodPAC, PPMPT, and CEN standards) have currently not resulted in improved reporting. In conclusion, our results highlight the lack of reporting pre-analytical variables in exRNA studies and advocate for a consistent use of available standards, endorsed by funders and journals.

Indexed as

Cell-Free Nucleic AcidsPlasmaPre-Analytical PhaseHumansLiquid BiopsyCell-Free Nucleic Acidscell‐free RNAcirculating cell‐free RNAextracellular RNAliquid biopsiesplasmapre‐analytical variable

Identifiers

PMID38564603
PMCPMC12234387

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Registered trials

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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.