Subpar reporting of pre‐analytical variables in RNA‐focused blood plasma studies

Extracellular RNA (cell‐free RNA; exRNA) from blood‐derived liquid biopsies is an appealing, minimally invasive source of disease biomarkers. As pre‐analytical variables strongly influence exRNA measurements, their reporting is essential for meaningful interpretation and replication of results. The...

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Main Authors: Céleste Van Der Schueren, Philippe Decruyenaere, Francisco Avila Cobos, Johanna Bult, Jill Deleu, Laudonia Lidia Dipalo, Hetty Hilde Helsmoortel, Eva Hulstaert, Annelien Morlion, Elena Ramos Varas, Kathleen Schoofs, Wim Trypsteen, Eveline Vanden Eynde, Hanne Van Droogenbroeck, Kimberly Verniers, Jo Vandesompele, Anneleen Decock
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2025-07-01
Series:Molecular Oncology
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1002/1878-0261.13647
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author Céleste Van Der Schueren
Philippe Decruyenaere
Francisco Avila Cobos
Johanna Bult
Jill Deleu
Laudonia Lidia Dipalo
Hetty Hilde Helsmoortel
Eva Hulstaert
Annelien Morlion
Elena Ramos Varas
Kathleen Schoofs
Wim Trypsteen
Eveline Vanden Eynde
Hanne Van Droogenbroeck
Kimberly Verniers
Jo Vandesompele
Anneleen Decock
author_facet Céleste Van Der Schueren
Philippe Decruyenaere
Francisco Avila Cobos
Johanna Bult
Jill Deleu
Laudonia Lidia Dipalo
Hetty Hilde Helsmoortel
Eva Hulstaert
Annelien Morlion
Elena Ramos Varas
Kathleen Schoofs
Wim Trypsteen
Eveline Vanden Eynde
Hanne Van Droogenbroeck
Kimberly Verniers
Jo Vandesompele
Anneleen Decock
author_sort Céleste Van Der Schueren
collection DOAJ
description Extracellular RNA (cell‐free RNA; exRNA) from blood‐derived liquid biopsies is an appealing, minimally invasive source of disease biomarkers. As pre‐analytical variables strongly influence exRNA measurements, their reporting is essential for meaningful interpretation and replication of results. The aim of this review was to chart to what extent pre‐analytical variables are documented, to pinpoint shortcomings and to improve future reporting. In total, 200 blood plasma exRNA studies published in 2018 or 2023 were reviewed for annotation of 22 variables associated with blood collection, plasma preparation, and RNA purification. Our results show that pre‐analytical variables are poorly documented, with only three out of 22 variables described in over half of the publications. The percentage of variables reported ranged from 4.6% to 54.6% (mean 24.84%) in 2023 and from 4.6% to 57.1% (mean 28.60%) in 2018. Recommendations and guidelines (i.e., BRISQ, ASCO‐CAP, BloodPAC, PPMPT, and CEN standards) have currently not resulted in improved reporting. In conclusion, our results highlight the lack of reporting pre‐analytical variables in exRNA studies and advocate for a consistent use of available standards, endorsed by funders and journals.
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spelling doaj-art-e1c7e5db93af4f958179b79fcbdcea9e2025-08-20T03:17:43ZengWileyMolecular Oncology1574-78911878-02612025-07-011971968197810.1002/1878-0261.13647Subpar reporting of pre‐analytical variables in RNA‐focused blood plasma studiesCéleste Van Der Schueren0Philippe Decruyenaere1Francisco Avila Cobos2Johanna Bult3Jill Deleu4Laudonia Lidia Dipalo5Hetty Hilde Helsmoortel6Eva Hulstaert7Annelien Morlion8Elena Ramos Varas9Kathleen Schoofs10Wim Trypsteen11Eveline Vanden Eynde12Hanne Van Droogenbroeck13Kimberly Verniers14Jo Vandesompele15Anneleen Decock16Department of Biomolecular Medicine Ghent University BelgiumDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine Ghent University BelgiumDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine Ghent University BelgiumDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine Ghent University BelgiumDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine Ghent University BelgiumDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine Ghent University BelgiumDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine Ghent University BelgiumDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine Ghent University BelgiumDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine Ghent University BelgiumDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine Ghent University BelgiumDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine Ghent University BelgiumDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine Ghent University BelgiumDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine Ghent University BelgiumDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine Ghent University BelgiumDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine Ghent University BelgiumDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine Ghent University BelgiumDepartment of Biomolecular Medicine Ghent University BelgiumExtracellular RNA (cell‐free RNA; exRNA) from blood‐derived liquid biopsies is an appealing, minimally invasive source of disease biomarkers. As pre‐analytical variables strongly influence exRNA measurements, their reporting is essential for meaningful interpretation and replication of results. The aim of this review was to chart to what extent pre‐analytical variables are documented, to pinpoint shortcomings and to improve future reporting. In total, 200 blood plasma exRNA studies published in 2018 or 2023 were reviewed for annotation of 22 variables associated with blood collection, plasma preparation, and RNA purification. Our results show that pre‐analytical variables are poorly documented, with only three out of 22 variables described in over half of the publications. The percentage of variables reported ranged from 4.6% to 54.6% (mean 24.84%) in 2023 and from 4.6% to 57.1% (mean 28.60%) in 2018. Recommendations and guidelines (i.e., BRISQ, ASCO‐CAP, BloodPAC, PPMPT, and CEN standards) have currently not resulted in improved reporting. In conclusion, our results highlight the lack of reporting pre‐analytical variables in exRNA studies and advocate for a consistent use of available standards, endorsed by funders and journals.https://doi.org/10.1002/1878-0261.13647cell‐free RNAcirculating cell‐free RNAextracellular RNAliquid biopsiesplasmapre‐analytical variable
spellingShingle Céleste Van Der Schueren
Philippe Decruyenaere
Francisco Avila Cobos
Johanna Bult
Jill Deleu
Laudonia Lidia Dipalo
Hetty Hilde Helsmoortel
Eva Hulstaert
Annelien Morlion
Elena Ramos Varas
Kathleen Schoofs
Wim Trypsteen
Eveline Vanden Eynde
Hanne Van Droogenbroeck
Kimberly Verniers
Jo Vandesompele
Anneleen Decock
Subpar reporting of pre‐analytical variables in RNA‐focused blood plasma studies
Molecular Oncology
cell‐free RNA
circulating cell‐free RNA
extracellular RNA
liquid biopsies
plasma
pre‐analytical variable
title Subpar reporting of pre‐analytical variables in RNA‐focused blood plasma studies
title_full Subpar reporting of pre‐analytical variables in RNA‐focused blood plasma studies
title_fullStr Subpar reporting of pre‐analytical variables in RNA‐focused blood plasma studies
title_full_unstemmed Subpar reporting of pre‐analytical variables in RNA‐focused blood plasma studies
title_short Subpar reporting of pre‐analytical variables in RNA‐focused blood plasma studies
title_sort subpar reporting of pre analytical variables in rna focused blood plasma studies
topic cell‐free RNA
circulating cell‐free RNA
extracellular RNA
liquid biopsies
plasma
pre‐analytical variable
url https://doi.org/10.1002/1878-0261.13647
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