Non-Invasive Diagnosis of Glioblastoma Using Micro-Rna and Tumor-Educated Platelets: A Review of Emerging Biomarkers

Glioblastoma (GB) represent a dynamic and prevalent form of cancer in the central nervous system. Its diagnosis typically relies on physical examination and imaging techniques, often complemented or confirmed by a surgical biopsy. Given the highly invasive nature of these procedures, there is an urgent need to develop non-invasive diagnostic and therapies for GB patients. In this context, liquid biopsy has emerged as a promising alternative, offering tumor-derived information from minimally invasive samples. Platelets, which can absorb or internalize tumor-derived molecules like microRNAs (miRNAs) during tumor progression, undergo changes in their own RNA expression profiles. These miRNAs not only regulate platelet reactivity but, when influenced by tumor signals, also serve as indicators of tumor presence. Such changes in platelet profiles develop tumor-educated platelets (TEPs). TEPs are implicated in cancer progression and metastasis according to their interplay with tumor cells. This review focuses on the potential of TEPs and miRNAs as tumor biomarkers in GB, providing new insights for the development of strategies aimed at cancer prevention and therapy.