Serum miR-200c and clinical outcome of patients with advanced esophageal squamous cancer receiving platinum-based chemotherapy.

MicroRNA-200c (miR-200c) influences sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in vitro. This study was designed to investigate the prognostic potential of serum miR-200c in patients with advanced esophageal squamous cancer (ESCC). The serum levels of miR-200c was assayed by quantitative RT-PCR in 157 healthy subjects and 157 patients with advanced ESCC who were treated with platinum-based chemotherapy. The serum levels of miR-200c in advanced ESCC patients was significantly increased compared with those in controls (P < 0.001). Serum miR-200c expression was significantly associated with TNM stage (P = 0.037) and treatment response (P = 0.021). Patients with high expression of serum miR-200c had a higher risk for death than those with low expression of serum miR-200c (adjusted hazard ratios = 1.665, 95% confidence intervals: 1.135-2.443, P = 0.009). In conclusion, serum miR-200c may serve as predictor of survival for advanced ESCC and provide information for personalized therapy in advanced ESCC.