Detection, prediction, and prognosis: blood circulating microRNA as novel molecular markers of head and neck cancer patients

Introduction: The increase in the number of new head and neck cancer (HNC) cases is expected in the coming decades; therefore, an investigation of novel and noninvasive markers for tumor detection, prediction and prognosis is an urgency for cancer management. Among the putative and universal markers of the tumor, microRNAs (miRNAs) seem to be the most promising. Areas covered: In the following review paper, the recent studies analyzing potential utility of blood circulating miRNAs for HNC diagnosis, prediction, and prognosis were summarized and discussed. Expert opinion: Circulating miRNAs demonstrate numerous advantages and potentially high applicability in routine clinical practice for HNC diagnosis, prediction, and prognosis. However, currently the particular attention should be devoted to the disadvantages, such as methodological aspects, number of known miRNAs, tumor heterogeneity or tests validation and possible ways of their solution.