OBJECTIVETo identify dysregulated microRNA(miRNA) that can act as novel biomarker for colorectal cancer screening.

METHODSReal time-polymerase chain reaction was used to detect the expression profile of miRNA in tumor and paired normal tissues, and the significant dysregulated miRNA was examined by non-paired t-test. Receiver operating characteristic(ROC) curve was performed to evaluate the specificity and sensitivity of miR-363 and miR-490-5p as biomarkers to discriminate colorectal cancer patients from normal person.

RESULTSSeven-three dysregulated miRNAs were found in male samples, of which 6 miRNAs were up-regulated and other 67 miRNAs were down-regulated, while 42 dysregulated miRNAs were found in female samples, of which 5 were up-regulated and 37 were down-regulated in tumor tissues compared with normal tissues. Among above dysregulated miRNAs, 33 miRNAs had significant differences, besides, dysregulated expression level of 10 of 33 miRNAs was over 5 folds in male and female as well as mixed samples.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression pattern in female is different from that in male. miR-363 and miR-490-5p possess the potential in screening colorectal cancer patients from healthy people.