Circulating and faecal microRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for IBD: current evidence and next steps

Kiudelis V, Kupcinskas J, Link A (2025)

Publication Type: Journal article

Publication year: 2025

Journal

Best Practice & Research in Clinical Gastroenterology Elsevier

Book Volume: 78

Article Number: 102064

DOI: 10.1016/j.bpg.2025.102064

Abstract

Despite substantial progress in understanding the complex pathophysiology of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD), specific and accurate non-invasive biomarkers for diagnosis and disease monitoring remain an unmet clinical need. Endoscopy and histology are still considered the diagnostic gold standard, while fecal calprotectin has been increasingly adopted in practice but with recognized limitations. Blood-derived biomarkers, in contrast, remain largely nonspecific and of limited utility. Since the discovery of small non-coding RNAs known as microRNAs, these molecules have emerged as promising candidates for non-invasive diagnosis across a range of diseases, including IBD. Over the past decade, a growing body of research has investigated their potential in blood and fecal samples; however, systematic evaluation and integration of this evidence are still lacking. In this review, we provide a comprehensive synthesis of current studies on circulating and fecal miRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for IBD, highlighting methodological heterogeneity and outlining key directions for future research toward clinically applicable next-generation biomarkers.

Authors with CRIS profile

Alexander Link Professur für Innere Medizin mit dem Schwerpunkt Gastroenterologie am Medizincampus Oberfranken

Involved external institutions

Lithuanian University of Health Sciences / Lietuvos sveikatos mokslų universitetas (LSMU)

Lithuania (LT)

How to cite

APA:

Kiudelis, V., Kupcinskas, J., & Link, A. (2025). Circulating and faecal microRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for IBD: current evidence and next steps. Best Practice & Research in Clinical Gastroenterology, 78. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.bpg.2025.102064

MLA:

Kiudelis, Vytautas, Juozas Kupcinskas, and Alexander Link. "Circulating and faecal microRNAs as non-invasive biomarkers for IBD: current evidence and next steps." Best Practice & Research in Clinical Gastroenterology 78 (2025).

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