Abstract
Throughout the scientific community, early detection is considered as the best form of cancer prevention. However, there has been a lack of suitable and reliable early detection markers. For example, CA-125 has been at the forefront of monitoring and treatment of ovarian cancer but it is a poor biomarker with a sensitivity level of 40%, indicating that the need for more promising early detection methods is imperative. Recently, microRNAs (miRs) have become the focus of attention because they regulate various physiological and pathological processes by repressing target genes. More importantly, miRs have shown to be aberrantly expressed in many diseases, especially in cancers. Here, we review literatures on miRs functioning as cancer biomarkers followed by recent patents examining miRs that can serve as biomarkers in ovarian cancer. For example, patent US2011166041A1 used miRs as biomarkers in generating a diagnostic/ therapeutic strategy for gynecological cancer. Patent US20100249213 examined miR signatures in ovarian cancer to determine prognostic, diagnostic and predictive options. Patent US20110275534 generated miR-based methods for ovarian cancer diagnosis and treatment. Patent US20120015049 investigated methods for predicting and improving a chemotherapy response to treat ovarian cancer. In conclusion, we hope that this review encourages further research of miRs into cancer biomarker field.
Keywords: Biomarkers, cancer, early detection, microRNAs, ovaries, therapies.
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