Abstract
BackgroundEvidence implicated the diagnostic significance of microRNAs in whole urine/urine sediments in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB). However, the contaminated blood cells in patients with haematouria significantly altered the expression profiles of urinary microRNA, influencing the test accuracy.MethodsMicroRNA profiles of the urine supernatants of UCB patients and controls without any malignancy and profiles of malignant and corresponding normal mucosa tissues from the patients were determined by microRNA microarray and compared to identify differentially expressed microRNAs. The differential expression was verified in the tissues of an independent patient cohort by RT-qPCR. The diagnostic significance of selected microRNAs as biomarkers in the urine supernatant was investigated in the expanded cohorts.ResultsMicroRNA-99a and microRNA-125b were down-regulated in the urine supernatants of UCB patients. The degree of down-regulation was associated with the tumor grade. A diagnostic model was developed using a combined index of the levels of microRNA-99a and microRNA-125b in the urine supernatant with a sensitivity of 86.7%, a specificity of 81.1% and a positive predicted value (PPV) of 91.8%. Discriminating between high- and low-grade UCB, the model using the level of microRNA-125b alone exhibited a sensitivity of 81.4%, a specificity of 87.0% and a PPV of 93.4%.ConclusionsThe results revealed a unique microRNA expression signature in the urine supernatants of UCB patients for the development of molecular diagnostic tests. An effective cell-free urinary microRNA-based model was developed using a combined index of the levels of microRNA-99a and microRNA-125b to detect UCB with good discriminating power, high sensitivity and high specificity.
Highlights
Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) is the second most common malignancy in the urinary system [1]
Urine supernatants from six urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) patients and three normal controls together with four pairs of UCB tissues and their corresponding normal bladder mucosal tissues were subjected to microRNA microarray analysis
There was no significant difference in the total number of microRNAs detected between the urine supernatants from cancer patients and controls and between the cancer and control tissues
Summary
Urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB) is the second most common malignancy in the urinary system [1]. Due to its high incidence and frequent recurrence, effective diagnostic and disease monitoring tools are essential for the clinical management of patients. Cystoscopy is currently the standard clinical test for diagnosis and cancer surveillance. An alternative non-invasive approach exhibiting high specificity and sensitivity is required. Many blood- and urine-based biomarkers have been identified and evaluated in the literature, none have been ideal and powerful enough to replace cystoscopy [2]. Evidence implicated the diagnostic significance of microRNAs in whole urine/urine sediments in urothelial carcinoma of the bladder (UCB). The contaminated blood cells in patients with haematouria significantly altered the expression profiles of urinary microRNA, influencing the test accuracy
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