Differential expression of microRNA in serum fractions and association of Argonaute 1 microRNAs with heart failure.

The serum or plasma microRNA (miRNA) molecules have been suggested as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers, in various pathological conditions. However, these molecules are also found in different serum fractions, such as exosomes and Argonaute (Ago) protein complexes. Ago1 is the predominant Ago protein expressed in heart tissue.

Multicentre validation of a microRNA-based assay for diagnosing indeterminate thyroid nodules utilising fine needle aspirate smears.

Aims: The distinction between benign and malignant thyroid nodules has important therapeutic implications. Our objective was to develop an assay that could classify indeterminate thyroid nodules as benign or suspicious, using routinely prepared fine needle aspirate (FNA) cytology smears.

Methods: A training set of 375 FNA smears was used to develop the microRNA-based assay, which was validated using a blinded, multicentre, retrospective cohort of 201 smears.

Classification of the four main types of lung cancer using a microRNA-based diagnostic assay.

For patients with primary lung cancer, accurate determination of the tumor type significantly influences treatment decisions. However, techniques and methods for lung cancer typing lack standardization. In particular, owing to limited tumor sample amounts and the poor quality of some samples, the classification of primary lung cancers using small preoperative biopsy specimens presents a diagnostic challenge using current tools.

A second-generation microRNA-based assay for diagnosing tumor tissue origin.

Background: Cancers of unknown primary origin (CUP) constitute 3%-5% (50,000 to 70,000 cases) of all newly diagnosed cancers per year in the United States. Including cancers of uncertain primary origin, the total number increases to 12%-15% (180,000 to 220,000 cases) of all newly diagnosed cancers per year in the United States. Cancers of unknown/uncertain primary origins present major diagnostic and clinical challenges because the tumor tissue of origin is crucial for selecting optimal treatment.

Discovery of microRNAs and other small RNAs in solid tumors.

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are ∼22-nt long, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene silencing. It is known that many human miRNAs are deregulated in numerous types of tumors. Here we report the sequencing of small RNAs (17-25 nt) from 23 breast, bladder, colon and lung tumor samples using high throughput sequencing.