Abstract IA18: Noncoding RNA biomarkers in gastrointestinal cancers

Abstract

Abstract Cancer has emerged as a leading cause of mortality worldwide, claiming over 8 million lives annually. Gastrointestinal (GI) cancers account for ~35% of these mortalities. Recent advances in diagnostic and treatment strategies have reduced mortality among GI cancer patients, yet a significant number of patients still develop late-stage cancer, where treatment options are inadequate. Emerging interests in “liquid biopsies” have encouraged investigators to identify and develop clinically-relevant noninvasive genomic and epigenomic signatures that can be exploited both as biomarkers capable of detecting premalignant and early-stage cancers, and as therapeutics for targeted cancer treatment. In this context, microRNAs (miRNAs), which are small non-coding RNAs that are frequently dysregulated in cancers have emerged as promising entities for development as liquid biopsy biomarkers. Albeit the future looks promising, current approaches for detecting miRNAs in blood and other biofluids remain inadequate. This presentation will summarize an update on exploiting circulating miRNAs as cancer biomarkers and evaluating their potential as tissue-based, and more importantly as liquid biopsies in GI cancers. Citation Format: Ajay Goel. Noncoding RNA biomarkers in gastrointestinal cancers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Colorectal Cancer: From Initiation to Outcomes; 2016 Sep 17-20; Tampa, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(3 Suppl):Abstract nr IA18.