Advances in Circular RNA Detection Methods Offer New Possibilities for Cancer Diagnosis

Recent advancements in molecular diagnostic methods for circular RNA (circRNA) could pave the way for improved cancer diagnosis and prognosis. A study published in the KeAi journal Biomedical Analysis reviews the progress in specific and sensitive detection of circRNAs, shedding light on their potential as biomarkers for various cancers.

CircRNA, a unique type of non-coding RNA, has gained significant attention in the scientific community since its regulatory mechanism as a miRNA sponge was discovered in 2013. Researchers from China, led by Professor Jiasi Wang of Sun Yat-sen University, have examined the principles, advantages, and limitations of various circRNA detection technologies, with a focus on isothermal amplification, CRISPR, and digital droplet assays.

The study highlights the importance of circRNAs as potential cancer biomarkers due to their significant expression level differences between tumors and normal tissues. CircRNAs offer advantages over existing RNA biomarkers, including superior stability, preservation, and tissue-specific expression. These characteristics make them promising candidates for clinical applications in cancer diagnosis and prognosis.

However, the researchers point out that despite the field's progress over the past decade, challenges remain in the precise detection and quantification of circRNA, particularly in intracellular environments. This is due to their circular conformation and sequence overlap with cognate mRNAs. The most common detection methods, RNA sequencing and RT-PCR, each have limitations. RNA sequencing can be inefficient and expensive, potentially missing low-abundance circRNAs, while RT-PCR may overestimate expression due to circRNA's unique structure.

The implications of this research are significant for the medical and biotechnology industries. As circRNAs become better understood and more accurately detected, they could revolutionize cancer diagnostics, leading to earlier and more precise disease identification. This, in turn, could result in more effective treatment strategies and improved patient outcomes.

Moreover, the advancement of circRNA detection methods could spur innovation in the development of new diagnostic tools and technologies. As the field progresses, it may open up new avenues for personalized medicine, allowing for more tailored approaches to cancer treatment based on individual circRNA profiles.

While the potential of circRNAs as biomarkers is promising, the study underscores the need for continued research and development in detection technologies. As these methods improve, the medical community may be able to harness the full potential of circRNAs in clinical settings, potentially transforming the landscape of cancer diagnosis and treatment.