The changing microRNA landscape by color and cloudiness: a cautionary tale for nipple aspirate fluid biomarker analysis.
Susana I S PatuleiaElsken van der WallCarla Henrica van GilsMarije F BakkerAgnes JagerMarleen M Voorhorst-OginkPaul J van DiestCathy B MoelansPublished in: Cellular oncology (Dordrecht) (2021)
Our data indicate that NAF color and cloudiness influence miRNA expression and should, therefore, be systematically registered using an objective color classification system. Given that sample appearance is an inherent feature of NAF, these variables should be statistically controlled for in multivariate data analyses. This cautionary note and recommendations could be of value beyond the field of NAF-miRNAs, given that variability in sample color and cloudiness is likewise observed in liquid biopsies such as urine, cerebrospinal fluid and sputum, and could thereby influence the levels of miRNAs and other biomarkers.