Ema Prenc

Mrs. Ema Prenc


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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10 October 2025 in Biomedicines
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
DKDorian Kršul
Dorian Kršul
EPEma Prenc
Ema Prenc
LPLidija Pozgaj
Lidija Pozgaj
DŠDora Štefok
Dora Štefok
PPPaula Pongrac
Paula Pongrac
MZMarko Zelić
Marko Zelić
Background/Objectives: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) regulate gene expression and are proposed as biomarkers in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study evaluated miR-185-5p, miR-141-5p, and miR-21-5p expression in CRC tissues; their association with tumor location, histopathology, and clinical outcomes; and the suitability of miR-16-5p and miR-151a-3p as housekeeping controls. Previous reports suggest tumor-suppressive roles for miR-185 and miR-141 and an oncogenic function for miR-21, though findings remain inconsistent. Methods: Paired tumor and adjacent normal tissues from 70 CRC patients were analyzed. RNA was extracted from FFPE samples, and miRNA expression quantified by RT-qPCR. Relative expression values were normalized to miR-151a-3p. Tumor–normal differences, localization effects, and associations with clinicopathological and outcome variables were assessed using repeated-measures ANOVA and non-parametric tests. Results: miR-185-5p and miR-141-5p were significantly reduced in tumors compared with normal mucosa while miR-21-5p was upregulated. miR-16-5p showed higher expression in normal tissue, indicating its instability and unsuitability as a housekeeping control. A modest but significant localization effect was observed for miR-185, while other miRNAs were minimally influenced by location. Baseline asymmetry between non-tumor samples, observed for miR-185-5p, further indicated sidedness effects. None of the miRNAs were associated with stage, histological type, grade, invasion, immune infiltration, progression, or five-year survival. Conclusions: miR-185-5p, miR-141-5p, and miR-21-5p show robust tumor–normal differences, supporting their diagnostic potential, while miR-16-5p is unsuitable as a housekeeper. Modest but significant localization effect was observed for miR-185 in right-sided tumors. None showed prognostic value in stage I–III CRC. Larger, location-stratified studies are warranted.