MicroRNA could identify cancer and chronic bowel inflammation, study finds.

Biological molecules found in the blood samples of cats could distinguish between gastrointestinal cancer and chronic bowel inflammatory diseases, a study has suggested.

The study, led by the University of Copenhagen with the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies and researchers in Denmark, Scotland, Norway and Spain, aimed to find a test that would accurately identify between the clinically similar gut conditions.

The research involved studies into fragments of genetic material known as microRNA from the blood serum and faecal samples of healthy and unwell cats.

A blood molecule, miR-223-3p, was found to be particularly useful for diagnosing between cancer and chronic inflammation using blood.

This molecule could signify the early stages of a blood test being used to identify between the gastrointestinal conditions.

This test may prove to be more accurate than diagnosing the conditions using clinical observations of persistent or recurring weight loss, dysrexia and vomiting, which does not distinguish between the two conditions.

Similarly, if successful, this blood test could be less expensive and less invasive than diagnostic assessments such as histopathology, immunohistochemistry or clonality testing, which are often used to identify between the illnesses.

Although the research is in its early stages, the use of microRNA as a reliable and non-invasive biomarker of gastrointestinal cancer or chronic bowel inflammation could provide an alternative method of diagnosis than current approaches. This could mean it is easier to diagnose these conditions to initiate specific treatments and improve patient quality of life and survival.

Professor Silke Salavati, of the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies, said: “Vet professionals face a difficult task when diagnosing chronic bowel inflammation or cancer in felines, as symptoms for both conditions are often very similar.

“Through an international collaborative effort, our research underscores the potential of microRNAs as a diagnostic tool for veterinary medicine. Developing this method further could offer a good alternative to current approaches.”

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