A preliminary assessment of a stool-based microRNA profile for early colorectal cancer screening
Abstract Colorectal cancer screening methods are well established worldwide as a fundamental pilar in CRC management, namely through non-invasive faecal occult blood testing. However, the limited sensitivity of faecal occult blood test for detecting precancerous lesions highlights the need to search...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Nature Portfolio
2025-08-01
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| Series: | Scientific Reports |
| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14485-z |
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| author | Daniela A. R. Santos Mariana Eiras Miguel Gonzalez-Santos Marlene Santos Carina Pereira Lúcio Lara Santos Mário Dinis-Ribeiro Luís Lima |
| author_facet | Daniela A. R. Santos Mariana Eiras Miguel Gonzalez-Santos Marlene Santos Carina Pereira Lúcio Lara Santos Mário Dinis-Ribeiro Luís Lima |
| author_sort | Daniela A. R. Santos |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Colorectal cancer screening methods are well established worldwide as a fundamental pilar in CRC management, namely through non-invasive faecal occult blood testing. However, the limited sensitivity of faecal occult blood test for detecting precancerous lesions highlights the need to search for alternative tools, such as microRNAs (miRs). The main aim of this study was to identify stool-based miR profiles for early colorectal cancer detection. A panel with miR-21-5p, miR-199a-5p, and age showed a moderate performance for colorectal cancer detection (sensitivity: 88%). Additionally, miR-451a, miR-21-5p, miR-199a-5p, age, and gender showed high performance for discriminating high-grade dysplasia lesions (sensitivity: 91%). Moreover, when we obtained a positive result in either panel, we achieved a sensitivity of 96% for high-grade dysplasia lesions identification. Finally, when a negative result was obtained in these panels after a positive faecal occult blood test result, we accurately identified individuals without lesions. These findings demonstrate the potential of miR panels as non-invasive biomarkers for colorectal cancer and high-grade dysplasia lesions detection and could constitute a secondary screening method following a positive faecal occult blood test. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-df7ef3cf77ac4621aba627aa5455ba92 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2045-2322 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-08-01 |
| publisher | Nature Portfolio |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Scientific Reports |
| spelling | doaj-art-df7ef3cf77ac4621aba627aa5455ba922025-08-20T03:46:01ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-08-0115111010.1038/s41598-025-14485-zA preliminary assessment of a stool-based microRNA profile for early colorectal cancer screeningDaniela A. R. Santos0Mariana Eiras1Miguel Gonzalez-Santos2Marlene Santos3Carina Pereira4Lúcio Lara Santos5Mário Dinis-Ribeiro6Luís Lima7Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Centre of IPO Porto (CI- IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC)Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Centre of IPO Porto (CI- IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC)Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Centre of IPO Porto (CI- IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC)School of Health, Polytechnic Institute of PortoPrecancerous Lesions and Early Cancer Management Group, Research Centre of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/Rise@CI‐IPOP (Health Research Group), Portuguese Institute of Oncology of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC)Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Centre of IPO Porto (CI- IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC)Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto (FMUP)Experimental Pathology and Therapeutics Group, Research Centre of IPO Porto (CI- IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto), Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC)Abstract Colorectal cancer screening methods are well established worldwide as a fundamental pilar in CRC management, namely through non-invasive faecal occult blood testing. However, the limited sensitivity of faecal occult blood test for detecting precancerous lesions highlights the need to search for alternative tools, such as microRNAs (miRs). The main aim of this study was to identify stool-based miR profiles for early colorectal cancer detection. A panel with miR-21-5p, miR-199a-5p, and age showed a moderate performance for colorectal cancer detection (sensitivity: 88%). Additionally, miR-451a, miR-21-5p, miR-199a-5p, age, and gender showed high performance for discriminating high-grade dysplasia lesions (sensitivity: 91%). Moreover, when we obtained a positive result in either panel, we achieved a sensitivity of 96% for high-grade dysplasia lesions identification. Finally, when a negative result was obtained in these panels after a positive faecal occult blood test result, we accurately identified individuals without lesions. These findings demonstrate the potential of miR panels as non-invasive biomarkers for colorectal cancer and high-grade dysplasia lesions detection and could constitute a secondary screening method following a positive faecal occult blood test.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14485-z |
| spellingShingle | Daniela A. R. Santos Mariana Eiras Miguel Gonzalez-Santos Marlene Santos Carina Pereira Lúcio Lara Santos Mário Dinis-Ribeiro Luís Lima A preliminary assessment of a stool-based microRNA profile for early colorectal cancer screening Scientific Reports |
| title | A preliminary assessment of a stool-based microRNA profile for early colorectal cancer screening |
| title_full | A preliminary assessment of a stool-based microRNA profile for early colorectal cancer screening |
| title_fullStr | A preliminary assessment of a stool-based microRNA profile for early colorectal cancer screening |
| title_full_unstemmed | A preliminary assessment of a stool-based microRNA profile for early colorectal cancer screening |
| title_short | A preliminary assessment of a stool-based microRNA profile for early colorectal cancer screening |
| title_sort | preliminary assessment of a stool based microrna profile for early colorectal cancer screening |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-14485-z |
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