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. 2021 Apr 26:19:eRW5704.
doi: 10.31744/einstein_journal/2021RW5704. eCollection 2021.

Overview of miRNAs for the non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis: evidence, challenges and strategies. A systematic review

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Vitor Ulisses Monnaka  1 , Camila Hernandes  2 , Debora Heller  2 , Sérgio Podgaec  2
Affiliations

Overview of miRNAs for the non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis: evidence, challenges and strategies. A systematic review

[Article in English, Portuguese]
Vitor Ulisses Monnaka et al. Einstein (Sao Paulo). .

Abstract
in English, Portuguese

Objective: The aim of the study was to assess the evidence on miRNAs as biomarkers for the diagnosis of endometriosis, as well as to provide insights into the challenges and strategies associated with the use of these molecules as accessible tools in clinical practice.

Methods: Systematic review conducted on PubMed®, Latin American and Caribbean Health Sciences Literature (LILACS), MEDLINE® and Web of Science databases using the search terms endometriosis (all fields) AND miRNA (all fields), evaluating all publication up to May 2019.

Results: Most miRNAs found to be dysregulated in this study were harvested from tissue samples, which precludes their use as a non-invasive diagnostic test. However, differential expression of 62 miRNAs was reported in samples that may be used for non-invasive diagnosis of endometriosis, such as blood, serum and plasma.

Conclusion: Despite the identification of several candidates, studies are investigatory in nature and have been conducted with small number of samples. Also, no particular miRNA has been validated for diagnostic purposes so far. Studies based primarily on biological samples and applicable to translational research are warranted. Large databases comprising information on sample type and the use of saliva and vaginal fluid for miRNAs identification may prove essential to overcome current barriers to diagnosis of endometriosis.

Objetivo: O objetivo do estudo foi analisar as evidências sobre miRNAs como biomarcadores para o diagnóstico de endometriose, bem como levantar informações sobre os desafios e as estratégias necessárias para tornar essas moléculas ferramentas acessíveis para uso na prática clínica.

Métodos: Revisão sistemática conduzida nos bancos de dados PubMed®, Literatura Latino-Americana e do Caribe em Ciências da Saúde (LILACS), MEDLINE® e Web of Science utilizando os termos de pesquisa “endometriosis” (todos os campos) AND “miRNA” (todos os campos), avaliando todas as publicações até maio de 2019.

Resultados: A maioria dos miRNAs desregulados foram analisados a partir de amostras de tecido, o que inviabiliza seu uso como teste diagnóstico não invasivo. Todavia, 62 miRNAs foram identificados como diferencialmente expressos em amostras que poderiam ser usadas para o diagnóstico pouco invasivo de endometriose, como sangue, soro e plasma.

Conclusão: Apesar de todos esses candidatos, os trabalhos são exploratórios, realizados com números pequenos de amostras, sem miRNAs específicos validados para fins diagnósticos. Estudos envolvendo principalmente amostras biológicas, visando à pesquisa translacional, deveriam ser mais explorados. O desenvolvimento de grandes bancos de dados sobre amostras, bem como o uso de saliva e fluido vaginal para identificação de miRNAs, poderia servir como recursos essenciais para as barreiras atuais no diagnóstico da endometriose.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1. Summarized results of database screening for publications addressing associations between endometriosis and miRNAs
SNP: single-nucleotide polymorphisms; LncRNAs: long non-coding ribonucleic acids; circRNAs: circular ribonucleic acids; PCR: polymerase chain reaction.
Figura 1
Figura 1. Resultados resumidos da triagem de publicações abordando associações entre endometriose e miRNAs
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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