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Birkeland E, Ferrero G, Pardini B, Umu SU, Tarallo S, Bulfamante S, Hoff G, Senore C, Rounge TB, Naccarati A. Profiling small RNAs in fecal immunochemical tests: is it possible? Mol Cancer 2023; 22:161. [PMID: 37789383 PMCID: PMC10546694 DOI: 10.1186/s12943-023-01869-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Fecal microRNAs represent promising molecules with potential clinical interest as non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers. Colorectal cancer (CRC) screening based on the fecal immunochemical test (FIT) is an effective tool for prevention of cancer development. However, due to the poor sensitivity of FIT especially for premalignant lesions, there is a need for implementation of complementary tests. Improving the identification of individuals who would benefit from further investigation with colonoscopy using molecular analysis, such as miRNA profiling of FIT samples, would be ideal due to their widespread use. In the present study, we assessed the feasibility of applying small RNA sequencing to measure human miRNAs in FIT leftover buffer in samples from two European screening populations. We showed robust detection of miRNAs with profiles similar to those obtained from specimens sampled using the established protocol of RNA stabilizing buffers, or in long-term archived samples. Detected miRNAs exhibited differential abundances for CRC, advanced adenoma, and control samples that were consistent for FIT and RNA-stabilizing buffers. Interestingly, the sequencing data also allowed for concomitant evaluation of small RNA-based microbial profiles. We demonstrated that it is possible to explore the human miRNome in FIT leftover samples across populations and envision that the analysis of small RNA biomarkers can complement the FIT in large scale screening settings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Einar Birkeland
- Centre for Bioinformatics, Department of Informatics, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Giulio Ferrero
- Department of Clinical and Biological Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
- Department of Computer Science, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Barbara Pardini
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine (IIGM), c/o IRCCS Candiolo, Turin, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Sinan U Umu
- Department of Pathology, Institute of Clinical Medicine, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| | - Sonia Tarallo
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine (IIGM), c/o IRCCS Candiolo, Turin, Italy
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy
| | - Sara Bulfamante
- Epidemiology and Screening Unit-CPO, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Geir Hoff
- Section for colorectal cancer screening, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway
- Department of Research, Telemark Hospital, Skien, Norway
| | - Carlo Senore
- Epidemiology and Screening Unit-CPO, University Hospital Città della Salute e della Scienza, Turin, Italy
| | - Trine B Rounge
- Department of Research, Cancer Registry of Norway, Oslo, Norway.
- Centre for Bioinformatics, Department of Pharmacy, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway.
| | - Alessio Naccarati
- Italian Institute for Genomic Medicine (IIGM), c/o IRCCS Candiolo, Turin, Italy.
- Candiolo Cancer Institute, FPO-IRCCS, Candiolo, Turin, Italy.
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