Ribonucleic acid, or RNA, plays a vital role in gene expression and protein synthesis. Beyond its traditional functions, scientists have discovered that certain RNAs may provide valuable clues about disease processes and responses to therapies. These RNA molecules, known as RNA biomarkers, hold promise for advancing precision medicine approaches. Let’s explore some of the key types of RNA markers and how they are being applied in biomedical research.
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) Markers for Disease Diagnosis
Messenger RNA (mRNA) carries instructions from DNA in the nucleus to the ribosomes in the cytoplasm where protein synthesis occurs. Abnormal levels or sequences of certain mRNAs have been linked to various diseases. Measuring mRNA expression patterns can help clinicians gain molecular insights into patients’ conditions. For example, elevated mRNA levels of the proto-oncogene MYC are associated with more aggressive forms of several cancers like lymphoma and leukemia. New tests that detect unique mRNA signatures are enabling more accurate diagnosis and classification of cancer subtypes. This personalized information could guide treatment decisions and predict how patients may respond.
Non-Coding Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) Markers
While Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) Markers conveys the protein-coding message, non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) perform important regulatory roles in the cell. Two major types of ncRNAs showing promise as biomarkers are microRNAs (miRNAs) and long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs). MiRNAs help control gene expression post-transcriptionally and have been tied to many human diseases. Abnormal miRNA levels or mutations have been observed in various cancers, heart disease, metabolic disorders, and neurological conditions. LncRNAs also regulate genes but can activate or silence them at the transcriptional level. Differential expression of specific lncRNAs correlates with tumor formation or metastasis in several cancer types. Both miRNAs and lncRNAs demonstrate potential as non-invasive biomarkers detectable in circulating blood and other body fluids.
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) Marker-Based Liquid Biopsy assays
A major challenge in oncology has been obtaining sufficient tumor tissue for molecular analysis. Researchers have now developed techniques called “liquid biopsies” to isolate and analyze fragments of RNA shed from tumors into bodily fluids like blood plasma. The discovery of stable cell-free RNAs including mRNAs, miRNAs, and lncRNAs in blood has enabled the development of minimally-invasive clinical tests. These liquid biopsy assays can detect disease recurrence earlier than conventional imaging or provide a genetic profile of cancer in patients where a biopsy is not feasible. Commercial liquid biopsy kits are gaining FDA approval for use in identifying treatment-guiding mutations in cancers like lung and prostate. The ability to serially monitor RNA biomarkers through routine blood draws also promises new possibilities for treatment monitoring.
Ribonucleic Acid (RNA) Marker Sequencing Opens New Avenues
Advanced high-throughput RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) technologies have drastically increased researchers’ ability to probe the transcriptome – all RNA molecules expressed by the genome – with an unprecedented level of resolution. Whole transcriptome profiling by RNA-seq has revealed previously unknown genes, refined gene structures, and uncovered transcriptional complexity. It has also shone new light on aberrant RNA splicing events linked to diseases. Clinicians can now develop RNA-seq assays to screen patient samples for hundreds or thousands of molecular markers simultaneously. When combined with clinical data, such “multi-omics” approaches hold the key to discovering novel biomarkers and providing rich molecular signatures for precision diagnosis and therapy selection. Some health systems have started implementing clinical RNA-seq pipelines for cancer molecular screening. While further validation is ongoing, RNA-seq biomarkers may revolutionize personalized medicine in the years ahead.
Continued innovation in RNA isolation techniques, detection methods, and bioinformatics are certain to expand the role of RNA markers across therapeutic areas. A growing portfolio of RNA biomarkers is receiving regulatory approval to aid in clinical decision-making. Researchers anticipate that combinations of multiple RNA types will provide more comprehensive insights than individual markers. Integrating RNA profiles with other -omics data like genomics, proteomics, and metabolomics also promises to advance systems medicine approaches. Standardization of pre-analytical workflows and clinical validation are still required before RNA biomarkers can be routinely incorporated into treatment paradigms. With the unprecedented levels of molecular insights they afford, RNA markers are undoubtedly poised to transform disease diagnosis and treatment monitoring in the future of precision healthcare.
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1. Source: Coherent Market Insights, Public sources, Desk research
2. We have leveraged AI tools to mine information and compile it
About Author – Alice Mutum
Alice Mutum is a seasoned senior content editor at Coherent Market Insights, leveraging extensive expertise gained from her previous role as a content writer. With seven years in content development, Alice masterfully employs SEO best practices and cutting-edge digital marketing strategies to craft high-ranking, impactful content. As an editor, she meticulously ensures flawless grammar and punctuation, precise data accuracy, and perfect alignment with audience needs in every research report. Alice’s dedication to excellence and her strategic approach to content make her an invaluable asset in the world of market insights. LinkedIn