Circulating miRNAs and their target genes associated with arsenism caused by coal-burning.

Endemic arsenism, caused by burning coal containing high levels of arsenic, is found only in the Guizhou and Shanxi Provinces of China. Dysregulated microRNAs (miRNAs), detected in the blood, are emerging as promising biomarkers. At present, little is known about the change and clinical efficacy of circulating miRNAs in patients with endemic arsenism produced by burning of coal.