Identification of Non-Coding RNA Biomarkers in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer to Address Racial Disparities.

Abstract

Lung cancer significantly impacts mortality, with African Americans (AAs) showing higher rates than White Americans (WAs). Noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs) play a crucial role in lung tumorigenesis. To identify ncRNA biomarkers associated with racial disparities in lung cancer, we used droplet digital PCR to examine 93 lung cancer-associated ncRNAs in plasma and sputum samples from participants with AA and WA, including 118 patients and 92 cancer-free smokers. In the AA population, plasma showed differential expression of ten ncRNAs, while sputum revealed four ncRNAs when comparing lung cancer patients to the control group. In the WA population, the plasma displayed 11 ncRNAs, and the sputum had five ncRNAs showing differential expression between lung cancer patients and the control group. For AAs, we identified a three-ncRNA panel (plasma miRs-147b, 324-3p, 422a) for diagnosing lung cancer in AAs with 86% sensitivity and 89% specificity. For WAs, a four-ncRNA panel comprising sputum miR-34a-5p and plasma miRs-103-3p, 126-3p, and 205-5p was developed, achieving 88% sensitivity and 87% specificity. These panels remained effective across various stages and types of lung tumors, and were validated in an independent cohort of 56 patients and 72 controls. Ethnicity-related ncRNA signatures hold promise as biomarkers for tackling racial disparities in patients with lung cancer.