How does miRNA-based testing compare to proteomics-based cancer detection?

Proteomics-based cancer detection analyzes protein biomarkers in blood or other fluids. Traditional tests like PSA, CA-125, and CEA are single-protein assays. Modern proteomic cancer tests (like some under development) analyze panels of hundreds of proteins. Proteomic biomarkers often rise later in the cancer process than miRNA changes, because miRNA dysregulation is an upstream molecular event that precedes altered protein secretion. Proteins also have shorter half-lives in circulation and are subject to degradation by proteases. MiRNA, packaged in exosomes, is notably more stable. The Yenos approach has the additional advantage of single-molecule precision (no amplification noise) and a validated HL normalization standard that eliminates inter-patient variability.