Correlation between microRNA-155 and WEE1 expression and their role in colon cancer

Abstract

Objective To investigate the role of microRNA(miR)-155 and WEE1 in the tumorigenesis of colon cancer by detecting their expression level in tumor and normal tissue. Methods The expression level of miR-155 and WEE1 from tumor and normal tissues of 187 patients were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction(FQ-PCR).Correlation between variables was analyzed by Kendall'tau method.Survival curves were plotted using Kaplan-Meier method with Log-rank test.Cyclooxygenase(COX) proportional hazard model was used to evaluate the independent prognostic factors. Results miR-155 expression negatively and statistically significantly correlates with WEE1 expression in colon cancer tissue(r=-0. 555, P< 0. 01). miR-155 and WEE1 expression level was closely related with differentiation, TNM stage and lymphovascular metastasis(P< 0. 01).miR-155 and WEE1 expression level, lymphovascular metastasis were independent prognostic factors in colon cancer patients.The median overall survival difference between patients with increased level of miR-155 expression and normal levels of miR-155 expression had statistical significance(23 months vs.85 months,P<0. 05).The median overall survival difference between patients with decreased level of WEE1 expression and normal levels of WEE1 expression had statistical significance(25 months vs.70 months, P< 0. 05). Conclusion miR-155 and WEE1 expression level were independent prognostic factors of colon cancer patients. Decreased miR-155 expression and increased WEE1 expression predict a good prognosis. Key words: MicroRNA-155; WEE1; Colon cancer; Real-time polymerase chain reaction