MicroRNAs in blood as biomarkers of colorectal cancer

Association studies have linked alterations of blood-derived circulating microRNAs (ci-miRNAs) with colorectal cancer (CRC). However, questions remain about the specificity of these abundance variations as biomarkers and their effects on the haematogenous spread of metastatic CRC (mCRC). We compared the profiles of miRNAs in 80 blood samples from healthy donors as well as patients with colorectal adenomas (CRA), colorectal diverticulitis (CRD), and CRC at different UICC-stages (I/II, III, and IV). We tested for stage-specific alterations