Abstract
PurposeWe investigated microRNA (miR) 1539 as a potential biomarker for predicting the risk and pathobiological behavior of colorectal cancer (CRC).MethodsOur strategy consisted of analyzing 100 serum samples from 51 CRC patients, 49 healthy controls (HCs), and another 56 CRC tissue and matched normal adjacent to tumor (NAT) samples. The relative expression levels of miR-1539 in exosomes, serum and tissues were detected and compared in the different groups, using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). The diagnostic value and potential function of miR-1539 were investigated using clinicopathological data combined with bioinformatics analysis.ResultsMiR-1539 expression was significantly up-regulated in exosomes (p = 0.003) and cancer tissue (p < 0.001) from CRC patients. MiR-1539 expression levels in serum varied according to different tumor sites (right-sided vs. left-sided, p = 0.047; left-side CRC vs. HCs, p = 0.031). In terms of diagnostic efficacy, miR-1539 expression in exosomes may help distinguish CRC cases from HCs with a sensitivity of 92.2%, and miR-1539 expression in serum may improve the specificity to 96.6% for left-sided CRC diagnosis. When combined with clinicopathological data, serum miR-1539 levels were positively associated with vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression (p = 0.028), whilst levels in CRC tissue were positively associated with increased Ki-67 levels (p = 0.035). Poorer pathologic differentiation was potentially related to an increased tendency of miR-1539 expression in CRC tissue (p = 0.071). Based on our bioinformatics analysis, miR-1539 may have a significant mechanistic influence on CRC genesis and progression.ConclusionsCirculating or tissue based miR-1539 may be used as a novel potential biomarker for CRC screening, and a predictor of poor clinicopathological behavior in tumors.
Highlights
According to Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) 2018 estimates, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common malignancy, and the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide [1]
MiR-1539 expression was significantly up-regulated in exosomes (p = 0.003) and cancer tissue (p < 0.001) from CRC patients
MiR-1539 expression levels in serum varied according to different tumor sites
Summary
According to Global Cancer Observatory (GLOBOCAN) 2018 estimates, colorectal cancer (CRC) is the fourth most common malignancy, and the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide [1]. The early detection and identification of efficient non-invasive biomarkers is crucial for CRC diagnosis, and reducing the burden of CRC mortality. MiRNAs can be detected in body fluids or tumor tissues. They have been implicated in the diagnosis and prognosis of various solid tumors, thanks to their role in cancer genesis and progression [6,7,8,9]. Circulating miRNAs are robust and stable [10] They are packed into extracellular vesicles ( exosomes) or bind to protein complexes, which makes them early stage non-invasive indicators of disease [10,11,12,13,14,15]. While the diagnostic value of several miRNAs has been previously confirmed [6,7,8,9], many miRNAs require exploration in terms of function and potential as biomarkers in various cancers
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Disclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.