Blood-based microRNAs as Potential Diagnostic Biomarkers for Melanoma: A Meta-Analysis

Introduction: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) serve as noninvasive diagnostic markers in many cancers. This meta-analysis aims to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of circulating microRNAs for melanoma. Materials and Methods: The pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio, and ROC curve were evaluated using the Meta-Disc V.1.4 and Comprehensive Meta-Analysis V.3.3 software packages. To investigate the heterogeneity, the I² and Chi-square tests were used. The publishing bias was evaluated using Begg’s rank correlation and Egger regression asymmetry tests. Results: A total of 9 articles covering 13 studies (more than 50 miRs individually and in combination) were included, containing 1,355 participants (878 cases and 477 controls). The overall pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio, negative likelihood ratio, diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and AUC were 0.78 (95% CI: 0.76-0.81), 0.80 (95% CI: 0.77-0.83), 4.32 (95% CI: 3.21-5.82), 0.17 (95% CI: 0.09-0.32), 28.0 (95% CI: 15.34-51.09), and 0.91, respectively. According to Begg's and Egger's tests, there was no publication bias (Begg's p = 0.160 and Egger's p = 0.289). Conclusion: Circulating miRNAs can serve as fair and non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers for melanoma. Additionally, specific miRNAs still need to be discovered for diagnosing melanoma.