Medical Science
Volume 25, Issue 112, June 2021
Clinical value of serum miR-21 as a potential biomarker in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC)
Azza Abdel Rahman Saab1♦, Riham Hazem Raafat2, Mohammad Sabry Alkady3, Manal M Kamal El Din1
1Clinical Pathology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams
University, Cairo, Egypt
2Chest Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo,
Egypt
3Clinical Oncology Department, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams
University, Cairo, Egypt
♦Corresponding author
Associate Professor of Clinical & Chemical Pathology, Faculty of
Medicine, Ain Shams University,
Cairo, Egypt
ABSTRACT
Background: Lung cancer is one of the most common cancers in both genders worldwide. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate post-transcriptional gene expression acting as oncogenes or tumor suppressor genes. MicroRNAs are promising cancer biomarkers as they are easily measured, stable, and are strongly related to clinical outcomes. Recent studies have reported the role of miR-21 in many solid tumors including lung cancer. Aim: To evaluate the diagnostic potential of miR-21in NSCLC, correlate its level with patient’s clinicopathological features in order to evaluate its prognostic value. Methods: This study included 50 patients with NSCLC and 10 apparently healthy matched control groups. Patients were subdivided according to their TNM classification into early-stage NSCLC (Stage I/II) (n= 6) and advanced stage (Stage III /IV) (n=44). The miR-21gene expression was measured in serum samples using quantitative real time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Results: MiR-21 gene expression was significantly increased in lung cancer patients (median: 2.58) compared to healthy controls (median: 1.45); (P=0.001). Higher expression levels were observed in stage III/IV patients' sera compared to stage I/II Patients (p<0.001). At a cut off value of >1.76, miR-21discriminated between NSCLC patients and controls with a sensitivity of 80% and specificity of 89% whereas a cut-off value of >2.4, miR-21could discriminate between patients with early and advanced lung cancer with a sensitivity and specificity of 70% and 78%; respectively. Conclusion: miR-21may serve as a potential non-invasive diagnostic and prognostic marker for NSCLC.
Keywords: miR-21, Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), Novel biomarker
Medical Science, 2021, 25(112), 1477-1485
