The Utility of Circulating microRNAs as Biomarkers in Viral Infection-Associated Cancers

A Journal of Postdoctoral Research.

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ISSN : 2328-9791

The Utility of Circulating microRNAs as Biomarkers in Viral Infection-Associated Cancers

Laura A. Adamson-Small

University of Florida

Department of Pediatrics, UFL, Gainesville, FL 32601, USA

ladamson@ufl.edu

Since their discovery, the role of microRNAs (miRNAs) has been expanding. These small, non-coding RNAs have been associated with gene regulation by binding to 3" UTRs. Specific miRNA expression profiles are associated with cancer development and may serve as markers of malignancy. Many of these cancers are also associated with viral infections. As some viruses express their own miRNAs, research has begun to investigate if cellular or viral encoded miRNAs could also serve as specific markers of these virus-associated cancers. Discovery of miRNAs in both tissues and serum have been reported in patients with virus positive tumors. These miRNAs may emerge as important, non-invasive diagnostic tools for detecting tumor development and progression and improving cancer