miR-21 and TAC as Salivary Biomarkers for Oral Dysplasia

Abstract

Objectives: Previous studies have demonstrated that microRNA-21 (miR-21) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) could be potential diagnostic biomarkers for oral squamous cell carcinoma. Their diagnostic potential in the early stages of carcinogenesis is not clear yet. This study was conducted to determine the salivary levels of miR-21 and TAC in patients with oral hyperplasia and dysplasia. Methods: We assessed expression of miR-21 and TAC in whole unstimulated saliva samples of 30 patients with oral mucosal lesions demonstrating hyperplastic or dysplastic changes and 30 healthy individuals with normal mucosa. Biopsy was taken from the lesions for histopathologic assessment. Statistical analysis was performed with IBM® SPSS® (P ≤ 0.05) and ROC curve analysis was conducted with MedCalc. Results: miR-21 expression varied among the studied groups with significant difference. However, TAC expression varied only between mucosal lesions and normal mucosa with significant difference. Diagnostic accuracy, sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value and negative predictive value were higher in miR-21 than TAC. Conclusions: Salivary miR-21 are more accurate in detecting oral dysplasia than salivary TAC. Salivary miR-21 could be potential diagnostic biomarker for screening and early detection of oral cancer. More studies are required to validate miR-21.

Ultrasensitive Detection of MicroRNA in Human Saliva via Rolling Circle Amplification Using a DNA-Decorated Graphene Oxide Sensor

“… 12 miRNA21 expression levels are upregulated in patients with severe dysplasia. 13 Significant progress has been made in determining the origin and functions of miRNAs and their prospective uses in research and therapeutic settings. Therefore, miRNAs may serve as effective diagnostic biomarkers.…”

“…Salivary miRNA21 levels in patients with mucosal lesions and those in patients with normal mucosa are significantly different . miRNA21 expression levels are upregulated in patients with severe dysplasia . Significant progress has been made in determining the origin and functions of miRNAs and their prospective uses in research and therapeutic settings.…”