A new review highlights the
transformative potential of
transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs) in the field of
liquid biopsy, emphasizing their role as
promising biomarkers for a wide range of diseases, particularly
cancers. These
non-coding RNA fragments, originating from mature or precursor
tRNAs, are detectable in diverse
body fluids—including
blood plasma,
saliva,
urine,
semen, and
cerebrospinal fluid—and exhibit remarkable
stability, even in challenging biological environments.
The article presents tsRNAs as a
rising star in precision medicine, with significant
diagnostic and prognostic value. Found in both
plasma and
serum, tsRNAs offer
disease-specific expression patterns and correlate with key clinical features such as
tumor stage,
metastasis, and
patient survival. In breast cancer, certain circulating tsRNAs are associated with improved prognostic accuracy compared to traditional markers, while in lung cancer, tsRNA signatures have helped differentiate between early and advanced stages. tsRNAs have also shown promise in gastrointestinal, ovarian, pancreatic, renal, and bladder cancers, as well as in conditions like
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease,
systemic lupus erythematosus,
infertility, and
neurodegenerative disorders.
A notable advantage of tsRNAs is their
presence across multiple biofluids, enabling
non-invasive sampling that is more accessible and less risky than tissue biopsies. This versatility opens up opportunities for
early detection,
disease monitoring, and
treatment stratification. Importantly, tsRNAs demonstrate
unique expression profiles distinct from similar small RNA classes like
miRNAs, reinforcing their
biological relevance and
clinical utility.
The article also discusses challenges such as
inconsistent nomenclature,
variation in sample preparation, and the need for
optimized detection platforms like PANDORA-seq. It calls for standardized
analytical frameworks to enable consistent cross-study comparisons and emphasizes the importance of accounting for
age-related and tissue-specific variation in tsRNA expression.
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Reference
Qinglin Wang, Zehao Pan, Si Liang, Yuanjian Shi, Gaochao Dong, Lin Xu, Qixing Mao, Feng Jiang, Transfer RNA-derived small RNAs (tsRNAs): A rising star in liquid biopsy, Genes & Diseases, Volume 12, Issue 5, 2025, 101608,
https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gendis.2025.101608
Funding Information:
National Natural Science Foundation of China 82073211
National Natural Science Foundation of China 82002434
National Natural Science Foundation of China 82003106
The Project of Invigorating Health Care through Science, Technology and Education, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Innovation Team (China) CXTDA2017002
The Project of Invigorating Health Care through Science, Technology and Education, Jiangsu Provincial Medical Outstanding Talent (China) JCRCA2016001
Young Talents Program of Jiangsu Cancer Hospital (China) 23