New RNA Class in Extracellular Vesicles May Revolutionize Cancer Diagnostics
TEHRAN (Tasnim) – Researchers have identified a novel class of RNAs within extracellular vesicles (EVs), offering potential breakthroughs in diagnosing prostate cancer and other diseases.
Scientists from the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai have identified a new class of RNA molecules contained in extracellular vesicles (EVs) that could revolutionize cancer diagnosis.
These molecules, named "EV-UGRs" (Extracellular Vesicles-Associated Unannotated Genomic Regions), have shown changes in expression in the presence of cancer, indicating their potential as biomarkers for detecting prostate cancer or as targets for therapeutic intervention.
The study, led by Dr. Navneet Dogra, Dr. Edgar Gonzalez-Kozlova, Dr. Tzu-Yi Chen, and Dr. Gustavo Stolovitzky, was published in the August 16 online issue of the Journal of Extracellular Vesicles.
Dr. Dogra, Assistant Professor of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine at Icahn Mount Sinai, explained that the research focused on the previously unexplored RNA "dark matter" associated with extracellular vesicles and exosomes.
The team discovered that EVs carry small, previously unidentified RNA fragments in the blood and urine of prostate cancer patients.
"This is the first study to detail these 'dark matter' RNA molecules, EV-UGRs, in unprecedented detail in the context of prostate cancer," said Dr. Dogra.
"Our findings suggest a less invasive approach for diagnosing prostate cancer through simple liquid biopsies, potentially eliminating the need for more complex and painful procedures."
Co-author Dr. Ash Tewari, Professor and Chair of the Milton and Carroll Petrie Department of Urology at Icahn Mount Sinai, noted that prostate cancer is often a heterogeneous disease that may only require active monitoring.
"Our study uses extracellular vesicle-associated novel RNA molecules as a diagnostic tool, with significant potential for less invasive diagnosis and liquid biopsy in the near future," said Dr. Tewari.
As part of their research, the team used next-generation small RNA sequencing to rapidly analyze human tissues and fluids, developed a cost-effective liquid biopsy test, and created tools to isolate EVs from blood and urine.
Dr. Dogra emphasized the potential of EV-UGRs for non-invasive diagnosis, not only for prostate cancer but also for other diseases.
The researchers plan to validate their findings through randomized clinical trials to confirm the effectiveness of their approach on a larger scale.
"This research is a significant and timely achievement," said co-author Dr. Carlos Cordon-Cardo, Chair of the Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine at Icahn Mount Sinai.
"The potential impact is vast, promising a future where diagnosing diseases like prostate cancer could be done quickly and less invasively, leading to earlier detection and more effective treatment strategies."
The study, titled "Extracellular vesicles carry transcriptional 'dark matter' revealing tissue-specific information," offers a promising new avenue for improving patient outcomes and quality of life through advancements in diagnostic techniques.