Diagnostic potential of cell-free and exosomal MicroRNAs in the identification of patients with high-risk colorectal adenomas

Background Although there is a growing interest in developing circulating microRNA (miRNA) as noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers for the detection of high-risk colorectal adenomas and earlystage CRCs, but the comparative diagnostic significance of serum vs. exosomal miRNAs remains unexplored. Methods Based upon published literature, we performed an initial discovery step by investigating the expression of a miRNA panel in 20 normal colonic mucosa, 27 adenomas, and 19 CRC tissues. We performed subsequent validation by quantifying expression of candidate miRNAs in total serum and in exosomes from 26 adenoma patients and 47 healthy controls, and evaluated their clinical significance and potential diagnostic value in colorectal adenomas. Results We observed that the expression of four miRNAs, miR-21, miR-29a, miR-92a, and miR- 135b, was significantly higher in colorectal adenomas vs. normal colonic mucosa. During validation, expression of miR-21, miR-29a and miR-92a in serum was significantly higher in adenomas vs. healthy controls, significantly correlated with adenoma size and total adenoma number within the colorectum, and significantly discriminated patients with advanced adenomas. In contrast, although exosomal miR-21 and miR-29a levels in adenoma patients were significantly higher than those of healthy volunteers, only exosomal miR-21 significantly correlated with adenoma size and total adenoma number, and could discriminate patients with high-risk adenomas. Conclusion Compared to exosomal miRNAs, serum levels of miR-21, miR-29a and miR-92a are superior diagnostic biomarkers in patients with high-risk adenomatous polyps.