Utilization of miRNAs as Biomarkers for the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Metastasis in Gynecological Malignancies

Sep 21, 2026

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Gynecological cancer encompasses ovarian, cervical, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar malignancies, which drive substantial morbidity and mortality in women with significant socioeconomic burden. MiRNAs are small noncoding RNAs whose dysregulation is linked to key cancer processes spanning tumorigenesis, diagnostic value, prognosis, and metastatic potential. This review consolidates evidence connecting miRNAs to each female malignancy as biomarkers, covering circulating miRNAs for diagnosis, tissue miRNAs for tumor histology and prognosis, and miRNAs for both local nodal spread and distant metastasis.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages19

Reading Time48 min

AccessFree to download

Introduction

Biomarkers in gynecological malignancies

RNA-based and miRNA biomarkers

Diagnostic, prognostic, and metastatic roles

Review Utilization of miRNAs as Biomarkers for the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Metastasis in Gynecological Malignancies Alexandros Lazaridis 1,†, Hector Katifelis 2,†, Emmanouil Kalampokas 1, Dimitra Lambropoulou 3, Gerasimos Aravantinos 4, Maria Gazouli 2, * and Nikos F. Vlahos 1 Citation: Lazaridis, A.; Katifelis, H.; Kalampokas, E.; Lambropoulou, D.; Aravantinos, G.; Gazouli, M.; Vlahos, N.F. Utilization of miRNAs as Biomarkers for the Diagnosis, Prognosis, and Metastasis in Gynecological Malignancies. Int. J. Mol. Sci. 2024, 25, 11703. [https://](https://)[ ](https://)[doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111703](doi.org/10.3390/ijms252111703) Academic Editor: Alfonso Baldi Received: 27 September 2024 Revised: 23 October 2024 Accepted: 28 October 2024 Published: 31 October 2024 Copyright: © 2024 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license ([https://](https://)[ ](https://)[creativecommons.org/licenses/by/](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[ ](creativecommons.org/licenses/by/)[4.0/](4.0/)) . 1 2nd Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Vasilissis Sofias 76, 11528 Athens, Greece; dr.alexlazaridis@gmail.com (A.L.); [m.kalampokas@gmail.com](m.kalampokas@gmail.com) (E.K.); [nfvlahos@gmail.com](nfvlahos@gmail.com) (N.F.V.) 2 Laboratory of Biology, Department of Basic Medical Sciences, Medical School, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Michalakopoulou 176, 11527 Athens, Greece; [katifel@med.uoa.gr](katifel@med.uoa.gr) 3 ECONCARE, Chatzigianni Mexi 5, 11528 Athens, Greece; [d_lampropoulou@yahoo.gr](d_lampropoulou@yahoo.gr) 4 Oncology Department, Euroclinic Athens, Athanasiadou 7-9, 11521 Athens, Greece; [garavantinos@yahoo.gr](garavantinos@yahoo.gr) * [Correspondence: mgazouli@med.uoa.gr; Tel./Fax: +30-210-746-2231](Correspondence: mgazouli@med.uoa.gr; Tel./Fax: +30-210-746-2231)[ ](Correspondence: mgazouli@med.uoa.gr; Tel./Fax: +30-210-746-2231)† These authors contributed equally to this work. Abstract: Gynecological cancer is a term referring to malignancies that typically involve ovarian, cervical, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancer. Combined, these cancers represent major causes of morbidity and mortality in women with a heavy socioeconomic impact. MiRNAs are small noncoding RNAs that are intensively studied in the field of cancer and changes in them have been linked to a variety of processes involved in cancer that range from tumorigenesis to prognosis and metastatic potential. This review aims to summarize the existing literature that has linked miRNAs with each of the female malignancies as potential biomarkers in diagnosis (circulating miRNAs), in tumor histology and prognosis (as tissue biomarkers), and for local (lymph node) and distant metastatic disease. Keywords: miRNAs; diagnostic biomarkers; metastatic biomarkers; endometrial cancer; vaginal cancer; ovarian cancer; vulvar cancer 1. Introduction Gynecological cancer is the term that refers to the malignancies of a woman’s reproductive organs mainly involving ovarian, cervical, uterine, vaginal, and vulvar cancer. Collectively, gynecological malignancies represent increasing trends in morbidity and mortality [1], while it is estimated that gynecological cancers pose a major economic burden that exceeds 80 billion dollars in the USA with extensive inpatient stays and outpatient reviews contributing to an average cost of USD 6300 [2], thus making ovarian cancer the costliest gynecological malignancy when compared to endometrial or cervical malignancies. Antineoplastic hormone agents, sex hormones, and analgesics constituted the highest portion of the prescribed medicines budget. On a more global scale, Sargazi in Iran [3] concluded that ovarian cancer and metastatic cervical cancer contribute to significant financial expenseson the healthcare system

FAQs

What are miRNAs and why are they relevant to gynecological cancers?

MiRNAs are small noncoding RNAs intensively studied in cancer. Changes in miRNAs are linked to processes from tumorigenesis to prognosis and metastatic potential.

How does the review describe miRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers?

The review focuses on circulating miRNAs as potential biomarkers for diagnosis across different female malignancies.

How are miRNAs used for prognosis and metastasis assessment?

The review summarizes evidence that miRNAs can act as tissue biomarkers for tumor histology and prognosis and can also indicate local and distant metastatic disease.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Eden