Abstract
MicroRNAs are small RNA molecules that bind to complementary sequences of target messenger RNAs and down-regulate their translation to protein or degrade them. MicroRNAs play critical roles in many different cellular processes. Hence, aberrant microRNA expression is common in a variety of disorders, including cancer. In this work, we quantified serum microRNA-21 (miR-21) expression levels in 30 breast cancer patients, 30 cancer-free individuals with risk factors for developing breast cancer, and another 30 controls without risk factors, in order to test the role of miR-21 as a possible diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in breast cancer. Our results indicated that miR-21 expression was elevated in asymptomatic high-risk individuals (2.98-fold) compared with healthy non-risk controls (p < 0.001), and was increased in almost all sera of cancer patients (12.72-fold) compared with healthy controls (p < 0.001). Higher levels of serum miR-21 were also correlated with tumors of higher grades, more nodal involvement, distal metastasis and advanced clinical stages (p < 0.01). Furthermore, over-expression levels declined towards normal after surgical tumor resection (p < 0.001). In conclusion, our findings demonstrate that serum miR-21 expression profile may serve as a potential non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for breast cancer.
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: 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.
