BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) such as miR-17-5p, miR-21, miR-106a and miR-106b are reported to be highly expressed in gastric carcinoma (GC) tissues. Recently, we reported that these miRNAs were consistently detectable in plasma and reflected tumor dynamics of GC. We hypothesized that these plasma miRNA concentrations could be used as prognostic markers in patients with GC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2008 and 2009, preoperative plasma samples were collected from 69 consecutive patients with GC at our hospital. We retrospectively examined the association between plasma miRNA concentrations and prognosis. RESULTS: The postoperative cause-specific survival rate of patients with high plasma miR-21 concentration was significantly poorer than those with a low concentration (p=0.0451), as was that of those with high plasma concentration of miR-106a (p=0.1132). There were no prognostic differences according to the plasma concentration of miR-17-5p and miR-106b. Those with high miR-21 concentration had also a slightly higher incidence of vascular invasion (p=0.0311). Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of a high miR-21 concentration in plasma was an independent prognostic factor (p=0.0133, hazard ratio: 13.4 (95% CI: 1.72-104.4)). CONCLUSION: The level of circulating miR-21 could be a reliable prognostic marker in the plasma of patients with GC. These findings contribute to the stratification of patients in order to identify those who need meticulous follow-up for early detection of recurrence and additional or alternative treatments of GC.
BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) such as miR-17-5p, miR-21, miR-106a and miR-106b are reported to be highly expressed in gastric carcinoma (GC) tissues. Recently, we reported that these miRNAs were consistently detectable in plasma and reflected tumor dynamics of GC. We hypothesized that these plasma miRNA concentrations could be used as prognostic markers in patients with GC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Between 2008 and 2009, preoperative plasma samples were collected from 69 consecutive patients with GC at our hospital. We retrospectively examined the association between plasma miRNA concentrations and prognosis. RESULTS: The postoperative cause-specific survival rate of patients with high plasma miR-21 concentration was significantly poorer than those with a low concentration (p=0.0451), as was that of those with high plasma concentration of miR-106a (p=0.1132). There were no prognostic differences according to the plasma concentration of miR-17-5p and miR-106b. Those with high miR-21 concentration had also a slightly higher incidence of vascular invasion (p=0.0311). Multivariate analysis revealed that the presence of a high miR-21 concentration in plasma was an independent prognostic factor (p=0.0133, hazard ratio: 13.4 (95% CI: 1.72-104.4)). CONCLUSION: The level of circulating miR-21 could be a reliable prognostic marker in the plasma of patients with GC. These findings contribute to the stratification of patients in order to identify those who need meticulous follow-up for early detection of recurrence and additional or alternative treatments of GC.
Authors: Amanda L Treece; Daniel L Duncan; Weihua Tang; Sandra Elmore; Douglas R Morgan; Ricardo L Dominguez; Olga Speck; Michael O Meyers; Margaret L Gulley Journal: Lab Invest Date: 2016-03-07 Impact factor: 5.662