Can circulating microRNAs predict colorectal cancer? Results from a nested case-control study of pre-diagnostic serum samples from two prospective biobanks.

Eva Hofsli, Pål Sætrom, Eivind Ness-Jensen, Helja-Marja Surcel, Robin Mjelle

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Article in BMC cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

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5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

5 authors.

Eva HofsliDepartment of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.

Pål SætromDepartment of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway.

Eivind Ness-JensenHUNT Research Centre, Department of Public Health and Nursing, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Levanger, Norway.

Helja-Marja SurcelBiobank Borealis of Northern Finland, Oulu University Hospital, Oulu, Finland.

Robin MjelleDepartment of Clinical and Molecular Medicine, NTNU, Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway. robin.mjelle@ntnu.no.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThis study aimed to investigate the potential of circulating small RNAs (sRNAs) as predictive biomarkers for future colorectal cancer (CRC). The study analyzed serum samples from pre-diagnostic CRC patients in two prospective biobanks.

methodsSerum samples from 142 pre-diagnostic CRC patients, from the Finnish Maternity Cohort (FMC) and The HUNT Study (HUNT2), were subjected to small RNA sequencing. The study compared sRNA expression in CRC cases with controls, considering diverse sRNA classes.

resultsAnalysis revealed diverse miRNA expression patterns with notable variations in future metastatic cases. Specifically, miR-223-3p and miR-21-5p showed significant up-regulation in future metastatic cases in the FMC cohort. Consistent changes were observed across cohorts, with miR-584-5p, miR-30c-5p, miR-146a-5p, miR-10a-5p, and miR-1306-5p showing up-regulation in future metastatic cases.

conclusionsThe study identified potential serum miRNA biomarkers associated with metastatic CRC, though statistical significance varied. These findings contribute to the understanding of miRNA profiles in pre-diagnostic CRC patients, emphasizing the need for further exploration of non-invasive biomarkers in large prospective studies.

Indexed as

Biomarkers, TumorCirculating MicroRNAColorectal NeoplasmsMicroRNAsAdultAgedBiological Specimen BanksCase-Control StudiesFemaleGene Expression Regulation, NeoplasticHumansMaleMiddle AgedProspective StudiesBiomarkers, TumorCirculating MicroRNAMicroRNAsBiomarkersColorectal NeoplasmsDiagnosisMicroRNAsSerum

Identifiers

PMID40082755

DOI10.1186/s12885-025-13854-1

PMCPMC11905635

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