Circulating miR-30b and miR-30c predict erlotinib response in EGFR-mutated non-small cell lung cancer patients

Abstract

ObjectivesMiR-30b, miR-30c, miR-221 and miR-222 are known to induce gefitinib resistance in lung cancer cell lines with activation of mutations in the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). However, the role of these four microRNAs in tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI)-resistance in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients is unknown. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate the predictive value of miR-30b, miR-30c, miR-221 and miR-222 in plasma from EGFR-mutated lung cancer patients receiving erlotinib. Materials and methodsThe cohort consisted of 29 EGFR-mutated lung cancer patients receiving erlotinib. Plasma levels of miR-30b, miR-30c, miR-221 and miR-222 were analyzed by qPCR from blood samples collected before treatment start. Plasma concentration of each microRNA was correlated to clinical outcome. ResultsPlasma concentrations of miR-30b and miR-30c could be determined in all 29 patients. Low plasma concentrations of miR-30b and miR-30c showed significant correlation with superior progression-free survival (PFS) (miR-30b: HR = 0.303 [0.123–0.747], p < 0.05; miR-30c: HR = 0.264 [0.103–0.674], p < 0.05). Low plasma concentrations of miR-30c were also significantly correlated with superior overall survival (OS) (HR = 0.30 [0.094–0.954], p < 0.041). ConclusionHigh plasma concentrations of miR-30b and miR-30c predicted shorter PFS and OS. This implies that miR-30b and miR-30c could have clinical potential as biomarkers in EGFR-mutated lung cancer patients.