微小RNA（microRNA，miRNA）是由20~25 个核苷酸组成的非编码RNA分子，其在肿瘤的发生发展过程中起着重要的调节作用，包括癌细胞的增殖、分化、凋亡等，直接影响肿瘤的进展。外周血miRNA相对稳定，比组织miRNA容易获取和检测，是肿瘤早期发现、早期诊断的新一代生物标志物，也是精准医学研究应用的主要发展方向之一。外周血miRNA常用的检测方法主要有逆转录实时荧光定量PCR，电化学检测、NanoString 数字化基因检测、基因芯片和高通量测序等。外周血多种miRNA是非小细胞肺癌、食管鳞癌、胰腺癌、头颈鳞状细胞癌、卵巢癌、结直肠癌、乳腺癌、前列腺癌和血液肿瘤的早期诊断标志物，多个外周血miRNA联合检测以及肿瘤特异性miRNA与血清学、影像学等辅助手段联合检测，均可提高肿瘤早期诊断的灵敏度和特异性。

MicroRNA (miRNA) is non-coding RNA molecule consisting of 20-25 nucleotides. It plays an important role in regulation of tumorigenesis and progression, including proliferation, differentiation and apoptosis of cancer cells, which directly affect the progress of tumors. Peripheral blood miRNA is relatively more stable, and easier to acquired and detected than tissue miRNA. It is a new generation biomarker for early detection and early diagnosis of tumors. It is also one of the main development directions of research and application in precision medicine. Methods commonly used in peripheral blood miRNA detection are RT- PCR,electrochemical detection, NanoString Technologies, genechip and high-throughput sequencing etc. Multiple miRNAs in peripheral blood are the early diagnostic markers for non-small cell lung cancer, esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, pancreatic cancer, squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, ovarian cancer, colorectal cancer, breast cancer, prostate cancer and hematological malignancies. Combined detection of multiple peripheral blood miRNAs, as well as combined detection of tumor-specific miRNAand serological, imaging and other auxiliary methods, can improve the sensitivity and specificity of tumor diagnosis at early stage.

国家自然科学基金资助项目(No.81560380, 81460358,81060177)；云南省科技厅-昆明医科大学应用基础研究联合专项资助项目（No.2014FB066）；云南省卫生科技项目（No.2014NS023, 2014NS024）；云南省卫生计生委医学学科带头人培养计划项目(No.D-201601)；詹启敏院士工作站基金（No.2015IC002）