Recent studies have found that microRNAs (miRNAs) are present in body fluids, including blood, cerebrospinal fluid, tears, saliva, breast milk, and urine in a stable form, and are called circulating miRNAs. Although their biological roles remain to be determined, circulating miRNAs are considered as mediators of intercellular communication like hormones and cytokines. Because circulating miRNAs can be collected in a non-invasive manner called as "liquid biopsy", they have also been studied as potential biomarkers for early detection, evaluation of therapeutic effects, and prediction of prognosis in various diseases, including cancers. In this review, we focus on the studies on circulating microRNA-92a-3p (miR-92a-3p) in colorectal cancer (CRC), considering their existence form, isolation methods, potential as biomarkers, and roles in CRC development and progression.
Keywords: Circulating microRNAs; Colorectal cancer; Liquid biopsy; miR-92a-3p; microRNAs.
© 2021. The Japanese Society for Clinical Molecular Morphology.