Cell-free RNA for the liquid biopsy of gastrointestinal cancer

Wiley Interdiscip Rev RNA. 2023 Sep-Oct;14(5):e1791. doi: 10.1002/wrna.1791. Epub 2023 Apr 22.

Abstract

Gastrointestinal (GI) cancer includes many cancer types, such as esophageal, liver, gastric, pancreatic, and colorectal cancer. As the cornerstone of personalized medicine for GI cancer, liquid biopsy based on noninvasive biomarkers provides promising opportunities for early diagnosis and dynamic treatment management. Recently, a growing number of studies have demonstrated the potential of cell-free RNA (cfRNA) as a new type of noninvasive biomarker in body fluids, such as blood, saliva, and urine. Meanwhile, transcriptomes based on high-throughput RNA detection technologies keep discovering new cfRNA biomarkers. In this review, we introduce the origins and applications of cfRNA, describe its detection and qualification methods in liquid biopsy, and summarize a comprehensive list of cfRNA biomarkers in different GI cancer types. Moreover, we also discuss perspective studies of cfRNA to overcome its current limitations in clinical applications. This article is categorized under: RNA in Disease and Development > RNA in Disease.

Keywords: cfRNA; gastrointestinal cancer; liquid biopsy.

Publication types

  • Review
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics
  • Cell-Free Nucleic Acids* / genetics
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Gastrointestinal Neoplasms* / genetics
  • Humans
  • Liquid Biopsy / methods
  • RNA / genetics

Substances

  • Cell-Free Nucleic Acids
  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • RNA