miR-144-3p as a novel plasma diagnostic biomarker for clear cell renal cell carcinoma.

•Plasma miR-144-3p acted excellently in discriminating ccRCC from healthy controls.•Plasma miR-144-3p could aid in the differential diagnosis for ccRCC from AML well.•Plasma miR-144-3p decreased significantly after nephrectomy in ccRCC.•Plasma and tissue miR-144-3p levels were significantly increased in ccRCC.•Plasma and tissue miR-144-3p levels in ccRCC were related to advanced pT stage.