Elevated expression of circulating miRNA-21 as a potential diagnostic biomarker for colorectal cancer in Iraqi patients

Colorectal cancer (CRC) ranks as the third most frequently diagnosed malignancy globally and is a primary contributor to cancer-related mortality. Notwithstanding advancements in treatment, late-stage diagnosis continues to be a significant obstacle to enhancing survival outcomes. MicroRNA-21 (miR-21), an oncogenic modulator of tumor-associated pathways, has surfaced as a potential biomarker for cancer diagnosis. This study sought to assess the diagnostic significance of circulating miR-21 in Iraqi individuals with colorectal cancer (CRC). A total of 30 colorectal cancer patients and 30 healthy controls were recruited, and serum samples were obtained for RNA extraction utilizing the TRIzol™ method. Quantitative real-time PCR (RT-qPCR) was conducted to evaluate miR-21 expression, normalized to U6 as an internal control. Results indicated a substantial elevation of circulating miR-21 in colorectal cancer patients, with a 3.4-fold increase relative to controls. Expression levels exhibited a correlation with illness stage, varying from 1.89-fold in stage I to 4.70-fold in stage IIIA. These data underscore circulating miR-21 as a prospective non-invasive biomarker for colorectal cancer diagnosis and disease progression. Integrating miR-21 into screening methodologies may augment early detection and enhance patient prognoses, especially in resource-constrained environments. Extensive, multicenter investigations are necessary to confirm its clinical efficacy.