miR-492G>C polymorphism (rs2289030) is associated with overall survival of hepatocellular carcinoma patients

Advancing precision medicine in hepatocellular carcinoma: current challenges and future directions in liquid biopsy, immune microenvironment, single nucleotide polymorphisms, and conversion therapy

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains a health concern characterized by heterogeneity and high mortality. Surgical resection, radiofrequency ablation, trans-arterial chemoembolization, and liver transplantation offer potentially curative treatments for early-stage disease, but recurrence remains high. Most patients present with advanced-stage HCC, where locoregional therapies are less effective, and systemic treatments-primarily multi-kinase inhibitors and immune checkpoint inhibitors-often yield limited responses. Precision medicine aims to tailor therapy to molecular and genetic profiles, yet its adoption in HCC is hindered by inter-/intra-tumoral heterogeneity and limited biopsy availability. Advances in molecular diagnostics support reintroducing tissue sampling to better characterize genetic, epigenetic, and immunological features. Liquid biopsy offers a minimally invasive method for capturing real-time tumor evolution, overcoming spatial and temporal heterogeneity. Artificial intelligence and machine learning are revolutionizing biomarker discovery, risk stratification, and treatment planning by integrating multi-omics data. Immunological factors such as tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes, natural killer cells, macrophages, and fibroblasts have emerged as determinants of HCC progression and treatment response. Conversion therapy-combining systemic agents with locoregional treatments-has showndemonstrated promise in downstaging unresectable HCC. Ongoing efforts to refine biomarker-driven approaches and optimize multi-modality regimens underscore precision medicine's potential to improve outcomes. PubMed (January 2002-February 2025) was searched for relevant studies.

hsa_circ_0129047 Upregulates LYVE1 to Inhibit Hepatocellular Carcinoma Progression by Sponging miR-492

Compelling evidence indicates the regulatory role of circular RNAs in cancers, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Our study aimed to elucidate the regulatory function of circ_0129047 in HCC progression. A reverse transcription-quantitative polymeric chain reaction was conducted to detect the expression of circ_0129047, lymphatic vessel endothelial hyaluronan receptor-1 (LYVE1), and miR-492 in HCC tissues and cells. The characteristics of circ_0129047 were determined by evaluating the nuclear and cytoplasmic fractions and by RNase R digestion assays. The cell counting kit-8 assay, scratch wound, and transwell invasion assays were used to examine the effects of circ_0129047 overexpression, miR-492 mimic, and LYVE1 overexpression on the proliferation, migration, and invasion abilities of HCC cells in vitro. A mouse xenograft model was also established. The relationship between miR-492 and circ_0129047 or LYVE1 was clarified using luciferase reporter and Argonaute-2 RNA immunoprecipitation assays. We found that circ_0129047 and LYVE1 were poorly expressed in HCC tissues and cells, whereas miR-492 was upregulated. Overexpression of circ_0129047 inhibits HCC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion and delays in vivo tumor growth. Furthermore, circ_0129047 sponged miR-492, and 3'UTR LYVE1 was a direct target of miR-492. Additionally, LYVE1 overexpression reduced the oncogenic activity of the miR-492 mimic, whereas the miR-492 mimic abolished the antimigratory, antiproliferative, and anti-invasive effects of circ_0129047 overexpression in HCC cells. These data suggest that circ_0129047 exerts a tumor-suppressive role in HCC by sponging miR-492 away from LYVE1 and that the circ_0129047/miR-492/LYVE1 axis may be a promising target for HCC treatment.

Impact of NOTCH1 polymorphisms on liver cancer in a Chinese Han population

NOTCH1, a member of the Notch family, is up-expression in advanced liver cancer (LC) patients and is associated with tumor sizes, tumor stage, metastasis, and invasion. A few studies have discovered the contribution of NOTCH1 variants to LC risk. Our purpose was to assess the relationship of NOTCH1 rs10521, rs2229971, and rs4489420 to LC risk. We enrolled 709 LC patients and 708 healthy controls. Genotyping was determined through the Agena MassARRAY system. Multiple genetic models by logistic regression were useful for odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Rs10521-G (p = 0.009, OR = 0.75, 95% CI: 0.61-0.93), rs2229971-A (p = 0.023, OR = 0.81, 95% CI: 0.67-0.97), and rs4489420-A (p = 0.014, OR = 0.38, 95% CI: 0.16-0.85) might be protective factors for LC occurrence in the Chinese Han population, especially rs10521 and rs2229971 (false-positive report probability (FPRP) <0.2 and statistical power >90%). Interestingly, stratified analysis displayed that the contribution of NOTCH1 polymorphisms to LC risk might be associated with gender, age, smoking, and drinking. Our data first determined that NOTCH1 rs10521-G, rs2229971-A, and rs4489420-A might be protective factors for LC susceptibility.

MicroRNA polymorphism: A target for diagnosis and prognosis of hepatocellular carcinoma?

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a life-threatening cancer of the digestive system, with complex pathogenesis affected by a broad spectrum of genetic and epigenetic factors. Among several factors, microRNAs (miRNAs), which are considered regulators of the post-transcriptional gene expression, play important roles in determining the malignant phenotype of HCC. In recent years, the advances in molecular genetics have resulted in the characterization of complex genetic factors and in the identification of epigenetic mechanisms of diseases. Accumulating data have suggested that miRNA polymorphisms are involved in tumorigenesis and prognosis, suggesting that the miRNAs may serve as a target for HCC with regard to pathogenesis and prognosis. In the present review, a comprehensive and detailed literature search was conducted and the role of miRNA polymorphisms in the pathogenesis and prognosis of HCC is summarized. The data proposed the use of miRNAs as targets for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

Association between miR-492 rs2289030 G>C and susceptibility to Hirschsprung disease in southern Chinese children

OBJECTIVE

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) originates from disruption of normal neural crest cell migration, differentiation, and proliferation during the fifth to eighth weeks of gestation. This results in the absence of intestinal ganglion cells in the distal intestinal tract. However, genetic variations affecting embryonic development of intestinal ganglion cells are unclear. Therefore, this study aimed to investigated the potential value of miR-492 rs2289030 G>C as a marker of susceptibility to HSCR.

METHODS

In this case-control study in southern Chinese children, we collected samples from 1473 controls and 1470 patients with HSCR. TaqMan genotyping of miR-492 rs2289030 G>C was performed by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction.

RESULTS

Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that there was no significant association between the presence of the miR-492 rs2289030 G>C polymorphism and susceptibility to HSCR by evaluating the values of pooled odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. Similarly, among different HSCR subtypes, rs2289030 G>C was also not associated with HSCR in hierarchical analysis.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that the miR-492 rs2289030 G>C polymorphism is not associated with susceptibility to HSCR in southern Chinese children. These results need to be further confirmed by investigating a more diverse ethnic population of patients with HSCR.

Comprehensive analysis of circular RNA profiling in AZD9291-resistant non-small cell lung cancer cell lines

BACKGROUND

Osimertinib (AZD9291), a third-generation EGFR-tyrosine kinase inhibitor, can effectively prolong survival in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with EGFR mutations, particularly T790M mutations; however, acquired resistance to AZD9291 is inevitable, thus exploration of the targets of resistance is urgent.

METHODS

Considering the important role of circular RNAs (circRNAs) in cancers, we established AZD9291-resistant NSCLC cell lines (H1975/AZDR and HCC827/AZDR) and used microarray analysis to determine the circRNA expression profiles of the cells. The H1975/AZDR and HCC827/AZDR cell lines were induced by gradually increasing the drug concentration. CircRNA microarray expression profiles were obtained from H1975, HCC827, H1975/AZDR, and HCC827/AZDR cells and validated by quantitative reverse transcription PCR. Expression data were analyzed bioinformatically.

RESULTS

The H1975/AZDR and HCC827/AZDR cell lines were successfully established. The half-maximal inhibitory concentration and the invasion ability of H1975/AZDR and HCC827/AZDR cells were significantly enhanced. The proliferation rates of H1975/AZDR and HCC827/AZDR were much lower than H1975 and HCC827. Microarray analysis identified 15 504 circRNAs differentially expressed in H1975, HCC827, H1975/AZDR, and HCC827/AZDR cells. Among them, 7966 were upregulated and 7538 were downregulated more than two-fold. We predicted the possible miRNAs of the top dysregulated circRNAs. Furthermore, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes pathway analysis showed that the most modulated circRNAs regulate several cancers and cancer-related pathways.

CONCLUSION

Our results reveal that circRNAs may play a role in NSCLC AZD9291 resistance and might be a promising molecular target candidate for gene therapy.

MiRNA Polymorphisms and Cancer Prognosis: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Background: Accumulating studies have focused on the relationship between miRNAs polymorphisms and cancer prognosis. However, the results are conflicting and unconvincing. This systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to explore the relationship between miRNAs polymorphisms and cancer prognosis, aiming to seek for markers with cancer prognostic function.

Methods: Hazard ratio of overall survival, disease-free survival (DFS) and recurrence-free survival were calculated to evaluate the association between miRNAs polymorphisms and cancer prognosis by using Stata software 11.0.

Results: We systematically reviewed the association of 17 miRNAs SNPs with cancer prognosis including 24,721 samples. It was shown that 6 miRNAs SNPs (miR-608 rs4919510, miR-492 rs2289030, miR-378 rs1076064, miR-499 rs4919510, miR-149 rs2292832, miR-196a2 rs11614913) were associated with better cancer overall survival (OS) while let-7i rs10877887 was associated with poor OS; the homozygous and heterozygote genotype of miR-423 were related to poor cancer relapse-free survival (RFS) when compared with the wild genotype; miR-146 rs2910164 was linked to favorable cancer DFS while miR-196a2 rs11614913 was associated with poor DFS.

Conclusions: In summary, let-7i rs10877887, miR-608 rs4919510, miR-492 rs2289030, miR-378 rs1076064, miR-423 rs6505162, miR-499 rs4919510, miR-149 rs2292832, miR-146 rs2910164, and miR-196a2 rs11614913 might serve as potential biomarkers for cancer prognosis.

Significance of microRNA-related variants in susceptibility to recurrence of oropharyngeal cancer patients after definitive radiotherapy

Common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in miRNAs may affect miRNA functions and their target expression and thus may affect biological activities and cancer etiology as well as prognosis. Thus, we determined whether the 9 SNPs in microRNAs modify the risk of recurrence of squamous cell carcinoma of the oropharynx (SCCOP) in a cohort of 1008 patients. The log-rank test and multivariate Cox models were used to evaluate the associations. We found that the SNPs in the miRNA146, miRNA196, and Gemin3 were associated with a significantly reduced and increased risk of SCCOP recurrence after multivariate adjustment (aHR, 0.6, 95%CI, 0.4-0.9, aHR, 2.1, 95%CI, 1.6-2.8, and aHR, 0.6, 95%CI, 0.5-0.9, respectively). Furthermore, the similar effect of these 3 SNPs on SCCOP recurrence risk was found in HPV-positive SCCOP patients only. However, no significant associations were found for other SNPs. To evaluate the aggregate effects of these SNPs, we performed a combined risk genotype analysis. We found that, compared with the low-risk reference group with less than 4 risk genotypes, the medium-risk group with 4 or 5 risk genotypes exhibited a 1.7-fold (1.2-2.4) increased risk whereas the high-risk group with more than 5 risk genotypes exhibited a 3.0-fold (1.7-4.2) increased risk (P_trend < 0.001). Such combined effects were particularly pronounced in HPV-positive SCCOP patients. Taken together, this is the first study with a large cohort of SCCOP patients showing that miRNA-related genetic variants may modify risk of SCCOP recurrence individually and jointly. Larger studies are needed to validate these results.

Noncoding RNA Profiles in Tobacco- and Alcohol-Associated Diseases

Tobacco and alcohol are the leading environmental risk factors in the development of human diseases, such as cancer, cardiovascular disease, and liver injury. Despite the copious amount of research on this topic, by 2030, 8.3 million deaths are projected to occur worldwide due to tobacco use. The expression of noncoding RNAs, primarily microRNAs (miRNAs) and long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), is modulated by tobacco and alcohol consumption. Drinking alcohol and smoking cigarettes can modulate the expression of miRNAs and lncRNAs through various signaling pathways, such as apoptosis, angiogenesis, and inflammatory pathways—primarily interleukin 6 (IL-6)/signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3), which seems to play a major role in the development of diseases associated with these risk factors. Since they may be predictive and prognostic biomarkers, they can be used both as predictors of the response to therapy and as a targeted therapy. Further, circulating miRNAs might be valuable noninvasive tools that can be used to examine diseases that are related to the use of tobacco and alcohol. This review discusses the function of noncoding RNAs in cancer and other human tobacco- and alcohol-associated diseases.