What is the difference between an oncogenic miRNA and a tumor-suppressive miRNA?

MicroRNAs can function as either promoters or suppressors of tumor growth depending on their target genes. Oncogenic miRNAs (oncomiRs) are upregulated in cancer and typically target tumor suppressor genes — by silencing these protective genes, oncomiRs allow uncontrolled cell proliferation. Tumor-suppressive miRNAs are downregulated in cancer; when they are silenced, pro-growth genes that they normally suppress become overactive. OncuraKit measures oncogenic miRNAs — specifically miR-21-5p, miR-375-3p, and miR-141-3p — which are overexpressed in cancer tissue and shed into urine at elevated levels. The test looks for the presence of too much of these molecules, not too little, making the detection signal additive and robust.