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Komatsu et al. J Cancer Metastasis Treat 2018;4:36 Journal of Cancer
DOI: 10.20517/2394-4722.2017.58 Metastasis and Treatment

Review Open Access

Circulating microRNAs as a liquid biopsy: a next-
generation clinical biomarker for diagnosis of

gastric cancer

Shuhei Komatsu , Jun Kiuchi , Taisuke Imamura , Daisuke Ichikawa , Eigo Otsuji 1
1
1
2
1
1 Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University of Medicine, Kawaramachihirokoji, Kamigyo-ku,
Kyoto 602-8566, Japan.
2 First Department of Surgery, Faculty of Medicine, University of Yamanashi, Chuo, Yamanashi 409-3898, Japan.
Correspondence to: Dr. Shuhei Komatsu, Division of Digestive Surgery, Department of Surgery, Kyoto Prefectural University
of Medicine, 465 Kajii-cho, Kawaramachihirokoji, Kamigyo-ku, Kyoto 602-8566, Japan. E-mail: skomatsu@koto.kpu-m.ac.jp
How to cite this article: Komatsu S, Kiuchi J, Imamura T, Ichikawa D, Otsuji E. Circulating microRNAs as a liquid biopsy: a next-
generation clinical biomarker and treatment target in gastric cancer. J Cancer Metastasis Treat 2018;4:36.
http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2394-4722.2017.58
Received: 18 Oct 2017 Accepted: 14 Jul 2018 Published: 18 Jul 2018
Science Editors: Lucio Miele, Masayuki Watanabe Copy Editor: Jun-Yao Li Production Editor: Cai-Hong Wang

Abstract
Accumulating evidence has suggested the potential clinical utility of novel body fluid biomarkers, or “liquid biopsy”,
using circulating tumor cells and cell-free nucleic acids from cancer patients. Noninvasive and reproducible, liquid biopsy
could provide the basis for individualized therapeutic strategies by identifying genetic and epigenetic aberrations that are
closely associated with cancer initiation and progression. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are short noncoding RNAs that post-
transcriptionally regulate gene expression. They also play important roles in various physiological and developmental
processes as oncogenic or tumor-suppressive regulators. Specific miRNA expression signatures have been identified in a
number of human cancers. Circulating miRNAs have been detected in plasma and serum, and this in blood has attracted
the attention of researchers for their potential as noninvasive biomarkers. Circulating miRNAs have emerged as tumor-
associated biomarkers that reflect not only the existence of cancer, but also the dynamics, malignant potential, and drug
resistance of tumors. Herein, we review the recent biological and clinical research on the circulating miRNAs of gastric
cancer and discuss future perspectives for their clinical applications as a liquid biopsy.

Keywords: Liquid biopsy, circulating nucleic acids, circulating microRNA, biomarker, gastric cancer

INTRODUCTION
Gastric cancer is third-leading cause of death among all cancers worldwide . While improved perioperative
[1]
management and diagnostic techniques have boosted early detection and decreased mortality in recent years,

© The Author(s) 2018. Open Access This article is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0
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