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MicroRNA Profiling pp 123–139Cite as

Circulating MicroRNAs in Cancer

Part of the Methods in Molecular Biology book series (MIMB,volume 1509)

Abstract

It is believed that microRNAs have potential as circulating biomarkers of disease; however, successful clinical implementation remains a challenge. This chapter highlights broad variations in approaches to microRNA analysis where whole blood, serum and plasma have each been employed as viable sources. Further discrepancies in approaches are seen in endogenous controls and extraction methods utilized. This has resulted in contradictory publications, even when the same microRNA is targeted in the same disease setting.

Analysis of blood samples highlighted the impact of both collection method and storage, on the microRNA profile. Analysis of a panel of microRNAs across whole blood, serum, and plasma originating from the same individual emphasized the impact of starting material on microRNA profile. This is a highly topical field of research with immense potential for translation into the clinical setting. Standardization of sample harvesting, processing and analysis will be key to this translation. Methods of sample harvesting, preservation, and analysis are outlined, with important mitigating factors highlighted.

Key words

  • Circulating microRNAs
  • Breast Cancer
  • Whole blood
  • Serum
  • Plasma

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Acknowledgements

This material is based upon works supported by the Irish Cancer Society collaborative cancer research centre BREAST-PREDICT Grant CCRC13GAL and funding agency “Breast Cancer Research”.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Discipline of Surgery, Lambe Institute for Translational Research, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland

    Killian P. O’Brien, Eimear Ramphul, Carmel Malone, Michael J. Kerin & Róisín M. Dwyer

  2. Regenerative Medicine Institute, National University of Ireland Galway, Galway, Ireland

    Linda Howard

  3. Cancer Biology and Therapeutics Laboratory, UCD School of Biomolecular and Biomedical Science, UCD Conway Institute, University College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland

    William M. Gallagher

Authors
  1. Killian P. O’Brien
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  2. Eimear Ramphul
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  3. Linda Howard
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  4. William M. Gallagher
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  5. Carmel Malone
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  6. Michael J. Kerin
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  7. Róisín M. Dwyer
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Correspondence to Róisín M. Dwyer .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Science, Waterford Institute of Technology, Waterford, Ireland

    Sweta Rani

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O’Brien, K.P. et al. (2017). Circulating MicroRNAs in Cancer. In: Rani, S. (eds) MicroRNA Profiling. Methods in Molecular Biology, vol 1509. Humana Press, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6524-3_12

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4939-6524-3_12

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  • Publisher Name: Humana Press, New York, NY

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4939-6522-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4939-6524-3

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