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World J Gastrointest Pathophysiol. Nov 15, 2013; 4(4): 74-90
Published online Nov 15, 2013. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v4.i4.74
Published online Nov 15, 2013. doi: 10.4291/wjgp.v4.i4.74
Pancreatic cancer diagnosis by free and exosomal miRNA
Margot Zöller, Department of Tumor Cell Biology, University Hospital of Surgery, D 69120 Heidelberg, Germany
Author contributions: Zöller M solely contributed to this paper.
Supported by The Wilhelm Sander Stiftung
Correspondence to: Dr. Margot Zöller, Department of Tumor Cell Biology, University Hospital of Surgery, Im Neuenheimer Feld 365, D 69120 Heidelberg, Germany. margot.zoeller@uni-heidelberg.de
Telephone: +49-6221-565146 Fax: +49-6221-565199
Received: May 25, 2013
Revised: August 1, 2013
Accepted: September 18, 2013
Published online: November 15, 2013
Processing time: 173 Days and 14.8 Hours
Revised: August 1, 2013
Accepted: September 18, 2013
Published online: November 15, 2013
Processing time: 173 Days and 14.8 Hours
Core Tip
Core tip: Patients with pancreatic adenocarcinoma have a dismal prognosis due to late diagnosis prohibiting surgical intervention, which is further burdened by chemo- and radiation resistance. Hope is raised on a minimally invasive diagnosis that is still missing. Recently two diagnostic options are discussed, serum microRNA (miRNA) and serum exosomes. Serum miRNA can be free or vesicle-, particularly, exosomes-enclosed. This review presents an overview on the current state on miRNA as a cancer diagnostics and discusses arguments in favor of tumor exosomes as a diagnostic tool that additionally could provide a powerful therapeutic option in the near future.