Evaluation expression of miR-146a and miR-155 and inflammatory cytokines in blood of non-small cell lung cancer patients

Abstract

<b>Background:</b> Non‑small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the major type of lung cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are currently considered as novel markers and targets in cancer therapy and playing role in both tumor suppressors and oncogenes. <b>Objective:</b> The aim of this study was to investigate the expression of miR146a and miR155 and serum cytokines in NSCLC patients. <b>Methods:</b> Thirty three NSCLC patients and thirty healthy control subjects were enrolled in this study. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used for the measurement of the expression of miR-146a and miR-155 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs). Serum cytokines (IL-1b, IL-6, TNF-α, TGF-β, IL-4, IFN-g) levels was determined by ELISA methods. <b>Results:</b> Compared with healthy subjects, miR-146a was significantly downregulated in PBMC of NSCLC patients (P≤0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis indicated that miR-146a may considerably has diagnostic efficiency for predicting NSCLC (AUC=0.859, P≤0.0001). Moreover, IL-6 and TGF-β levels were elevated in NSCLC patients (P≤0.001, P≤0.018, respectively). A positive correlation between miR-155 and IL-1b level (r= 0.567, p≤0.001) and negative correlation between miR-146a and TGF-β level (r= - 0.376, P≤0.031) were observed in NSCLC patients. <b>Conclusions:</b> In conclusion the current data suggests that the miR-146a expression in PBMCs, and serum levels of TGF-β and IL-6 may suggests and predict the outcome of NSCLC patients.