How are miRNAs used to detect cancer?
Recently, a novel class of global gene regulators called microRNAs (miRNAs), were identified in both plants and animals. MiRNAs can reduce protein levels of their target genes with a minor impact on the target genes’ mRNAs. Accumulating evidence demonstrates the importance of miRNAs in cancer.
What is the biomarker of lung cancer?
A recent study reported on a panel of serum biomarkers to aid in the diagnosis of lung cancer: CEA, RBP and a1 antitrypsin. It was found that expression of these proteins had a sensitivity of 89.3% and specificity of 84.7% in correctly identifying patients with lung cancer.

How does miRNA affect cancer?
MiRNAs may function as either oncogenes or tumor suppressors under certain conditions. The dysregulated miRNAs have been shown to affect the hallmarks of cancer, including sustaining proliferative signaling, evading growth suppressors, resisting cell death, activating invasion and metastasis, and inducing angiogenesis.
Is miRNA a biomarker?
miRNAs have first been established as biomarkers for cancer in 2008, when Lawrie et al. utilized them for the examination of diffuse large B-cell lymphoma in the serum of patients [84,85], and ever since, their potential use as biomarkers has been mentioned in literature for numerous diseases.

Which cancers can be diagnosed early by monitoring for dysregulation of miRNAs?
miRNAs as biomarkers and for the early detection of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) – PMC.
How many biomarkers are there for lung cancer?
There are two main types of lung cancer biomarkers: gene changes (mutations) or rearrangements that promote the growth of cancer cells.
What are miRNA used for?
MiRNAs are small non-coding RNAs with a length of approximately 19–25 nt, which can regulate various target genes. MiRNAs are involved in the regulation of a variety of biological processes, such as cell cycle, differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis, stress tolerance, energy metabolism, and immune response [7].
Why would you choose Microrna as biomarker?
The abnormal levels of distinct miRNAs could be observed at an early stage, during progression, and after metastasis of cancers. Thus, these small RNA molecules may function as favorable clinical biomarkers for distinguishing tumors, treatment strategy selection, and outcomes.