Stable serum miRNA profiles as potential tool for non-invasive lung cancer diagnosis

Abstract

Circulating microRNAs in human serum have increasingly been recognized as stable markers for cancer detection. However, there is still a lack of miRNome wide studies over a long period of time with respect to pathogenic processes. We obtained serum samples from the janus serum bank collected prior and after diagnosis of lung cancer. We analyzed the abundance of 904 miRNAs in serum from eight cancer patients at three time points and from six healthy control individuals. Based on the identified miRNA signatures, hierarchical clustering and a self-organizing map identified three major clusters including one cluster containing most of the of the pre-diagnostic samples, a second cluster with mainly post-diagnostic samples, and a third cluster with mainly control samples. Correlation analyses showed that although the profiles were generally stable over several years, most obvious changes of the miRNA pattern seem to occur at a time close to diagnosis. Our findings support the idea that a developing lung cancer might be detectable years prior to diagnosis through a specific miRNA signature and that this signature changes during tumor development.

MicroRNA expression changes after lung cancer resection

“…4 We found deregulated miRNAs that are present in patient serum years prior to tumor diagnosis and possibly indicating tumor development. Here we set out to follow the fate of miRNAs after diagnosis to further our understanding of miRNA signature changes that occur over time in patients with lung cancer.…”

Diagnostic and biological significance of microRNA-192 in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma

“…Serum miRNA profiles change during tumor development (11). Serum levels of miR-141 (an miRNA abundant in prostate cancer) can distinguish prostate cancer patients from healthy controls (12).…”

“…miRNAs are implicated in a wide range of biological processes including cell differentiation, proliferation, apoptosis and tumorigenesis (10). Microarray experiments revealed frequent and marked overexpression of miR-10a, miR-92 and miR-17-5p in pancreatic cancer cell lines (11). PDACs exhibit higher expression of miR-21, miR-221, miR-155, miR-100 and miR-181b than that in benign pancreatic lesions (12).…”

Lung Cancer Detection by Screening - Presenting Circulating miRNAs as a Promising Next Generation Biomarker Breakthrough

“…Another study (Keller et al, 2011) has shown role of miRNAs as biomarkers for lung disease based on both lung tissues as well as plasma samples that were collected both before and at the time of disease detection from patients who were participating in a different spiral CTscreening trials with extended follow up. These patients had developed tumours with variable aggressive behaviour during the course of trials.…”