Chapter 9 - Genome-wide discovery and prediction of microRNA-based biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) represents a prevalent form of cancer worldwide and in India. Despite the advancements in the diagnosis of HNSCC, a surge in the incidence and mortality rates is on the rise. Therefore, there is a need to develop and discover novel biomarkers for early detection of HNSCC. In this regard, the discovery of miRNA across the genome has progressed over several decades, leading to the development of various generations of sequencing techniques. The advent of next-generation sequencing (NGS) has facilitated the detection, analysis, and characterization of diverse biological samples, enabling the generation of highly sensitive data. This data has greatly contributed to the study and comprehension of various pathways, as well as the development of point-of-care diagnostics for patients. The utilization of various NGS platforms, such as Ion Torrent and Roche 454 pyrosequencing, has facilitated the identification of novel miRNAs not only in HNSCC but also in other cancer types. This chapter provides a comprehensive overview of the evolutionary journey of miRNA discovery through the development of sequencing techniques over the years, with a specific emphasis on miRNA in the context of HNSCC.