Abstract
The identification of tumour biomarkers that detect the presence of disease using non-invasive diagnostic procedures is a key part of cancer research. We determine in plasma the vesicle-related miRNA expression profile of non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and evaluate whether plasma miRNAs can be both discriminating (between patients and healthy controls) and prognostic markers.
Three hundred sixty-five human miRNAs were analysed by Taqman Low-Density Arrays in the plasma from 28 NSCLC patients and 20 controls. 5 selected miRNAs (let-7f, miR-20b, miR-30e-3p, miR-223 and mir-301) were validated independently by real-time PCR in plasma from 78 NSCLC and 48 controls and correlated with pathologic parameters and survival.
Levels of let-7f, miR-20b and miR-30e-3p were decreased in plasma vesicles of NSCLC patients. Moreover, levels of let-7f and miR-30e-3p distinguished between two groups of patients for stage of disease and therefore possibility of surgery. Plasma levels of miR-30e-3p and let-7f were associated with short disease-free survival and overall survival, respectively.
NSCLC patients and healthy controls differ in vesicle-related miRNAs in plasma. Levels of let-7f and miR-30e-3p in NSCLC patients are associated with poor outcome. Thus, plasma vesicle-related miRNAs obtained by non-invasive methods could serve as circulating tumour biomarkers of discriminating and prognostic value.
Footnotes
↵§ These authors contributed equally to this study
- ERS