Serum microRNA-based prediction of responsiveness to eribulin in metastatic breast cancer

Prospects for liquid biopsy using microRNA and extracellular vesicles in breast cancer

Among the analytes circulating in body fluids, microRNAs, a type of non-coding RNA and known to exist 2655 in primates, have attracted attention as a novel biomarker for cancer screening. MicroRNAs are signaling molecules with important gene expression regulatory functions that can simultaneously control many gene functions and multiple different pathways in living organisms. These microRNAs are transported in extracellular vesicles (EVs), which are lipid bilayers with 50-150 nm in diameter, and are used as communication tools between cells. Furthermore, the EVs that carry these microRNAs circulate in the bloodstream and have other important implications for understanding the pathogenesis and diagnosis of breast cancer. The greatest benefit from cancer screening is the reduction in breast cancer mortality rate through early detection. Other benefits include reduced incidence of breast cancer, improved quality of life, prognosis prediction, contribution to personalized medicine, and relative healthcare cost containment. This paper outlines the latest developments in liquid biopsy for breast cancer, especially focusing on microRNA and EV diagnostics.

An evolutionary learning-based method for identifying a circulating miRNA signature for breast cancer diagnosis prediction

Breast cancer (BC) is one of the most commonly diagnosed cancers worldwide. As key regulatory molecules in several biological processes, microRNAs (miRNAs) are potential biomarkers for cancer. Understanding the miRNA markers that can detect BC may improve survival rates and develop new targeted therapeutic strategies. To identify a circulating miRNA signature for diagnostic prediction in patients with BC, we developed an evolutionary learning-based method called BSig. BSig established a compact set of miRNAs as potential markers from 1280 patients with BC and 2686 healthy controls retrieved from the serum miRNA expression profiles for the diagnostic prediction. BSig demonstrated outstanding prediction performance, with an independent test accuracy and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve were 99.90% and 0.99, respectively. We identified 12 miRNAs, including hsa-miR-3185, hsa-miR-3648, hsa-miR-4530, hsa-miR-4763-5p, hsa-miR-5100, hsa-miR-5698, hsa-miR-6124, hsa-miR-6768-5p, hsa-miR-6800-5p, hsa-miR-6807-5p, hsa-miR-642a-3p, and hsa-miR-6836-3p, which significantly contributed towards diagnostic prediction in BC. Moreover, through bioinformatics analysis, this study identified 65 miRNA-target genes specific to BC cell lines. A comprehensive gene-set enrichment analysis was also performed to understand the underlying mechanisms of these target genes. BSig, a tool capable of BC detection and facilitating therapeutic selection, is publicly available at https://github.com/mingjutsai/BSig.

Comparison of salivary MicroRNA-6734, microRNA-3123 and microRNA-4483 expression in smoker and nonsmoker patients: a case control study

BACKGROUND

Tobacco is a major risk factor in oral diseases. Considering the important role of expression miRNA molecules in different diseases, the present study aimed to compare the expression of salivary miRNA-6734, miRNA-3123 and miRNA-4483 in smoker and non-smoker peoples.

METHODS

In this case-control study, salivary samples were obtained from 30 smoker's patients and 27 healthy nonsmokers and matched in term of age and sex. RNA was extracted in salivary samples and gene expression was evaluated in all samples. Statistical analysis of data was performed using T and chi-square tests by SPSS (Ver. 16) software at a significant level of less than 0.05.

RESULTS

The results of this study showed that the expression level of miRNA-3123 and miRNA-4483 in smokers group was 2.8 and 3.2, respectively, which was increased compared to non-smokers with expression level of 1 (P<0.01). There was a significant decrease in the expression rate of miRNA-6734 in smokers (0.6%) compared to non-smokers (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Based on the results of this study, considering the increasing miRNA-4483 and miRNA-3123 level, as well as the reducing miRNA-6734 level in smokers compared to non-smokers, it seems that evaluation of these two miRNAs as indicator for diagnosis and determination of prognosis of oral diseases associated with smoking can be used.

Changes in Multiple microRNA Levels with Antidepressant Treatment Are Associated with Remission and Interact with Key Pathways: A Comprehensive microRNA Analysis

Individual treatment outcomes to antidepressants varies widely, yet the determinants to this difference remain elusive. MicroRNA (miRNA) gene expression regulation in major depressive disorder (MDD) has attracted interest as a biomarker. This 4-week randomized controlled trial examined changes in the plasma miRNAs that correlated with the treatment outcomes of mirtazapine (MIR) and selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) monotherapy. Pre- and post- treatment, we comprehensively analyzed the miRNA levels in MDD patients, and identified the gene pathways linked to these miRNAs in 46 patients. Overall, 141 miRNA levels significantly demonstrated correlations with treatment remission after 4 weeks of MIR, with miR-1237-5p showing the most robust and significant correlation after Bonferroni correction. These 141 miRNAs displayed a negative correlation with remission, indicating a decreasing trend. These miRNAs were associated with 15 pathways, including TGF-β and MAPK. Through database searches, the genes targeted by these miRNAs with the identified pathways were compared, and it was found that MAPK1, IGF1, IGF1R, and BRAF matched. Alterations in specific miRNAs levels before and after MIR treatment correlated with remission. The miRNAs mentioned in this study have not been previously reported. No other studies have investigated treatment with MIR. The identified miRNAs also correlated with depression-related genes and pathways.

Downregulated miR-367-3p, miR-548aq-5p, and miR-4710 in Human Whole Blood: Potential Biomarkers for Breast Cancer With Axillary Lymph Node Metastasis

BACKGROUND

Increasing studies have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) have great diagnostic value in cancer. Axillary lymph node metastasis (ALNM) is closely related to the prognosis of breast cancer. However, it remains unknown whether miRNAs in whole blood could be promising biomarkers in breast cancer ALNM.

METHODS

An miRNA microarray was used to screen potential differentially expressed miRNA candidates in whole blood of three breast cancer patients with ALNM and three without ALNM. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) was used to detect candidate differentially expressed miRNAs in the whole blood of 109 breast cancer patients. Furthermore, bioinformatics analysis was carried to predict the potential targets and enriched pathway of miRNAs.

RESULTS

QRT-PCR validated the fact that miR-367-3p, miR-548aq-5p and miR-4710 are downregulated in breast cancer with ALNM compared to it without ALNM. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis revealed that miR-367-3p, miR-548aq-5p and miR-4710 have good diagnostic values. Notably, the three-miRNA signature showed better predictive value, with an area under ROC curve (AUC) of 0.7414. Bioinformatics analysis revealed that the miRNAs could participate in a complex network and thus be involved in cancer-related pathways.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings support the potential of miR-367-3p, miR-548aq-5p and miR-4710 and the three-miRNA signature as biomarkers for breast cancer with ALNM.

Addressing the Clinical Feasibility of Adopting Circulating miRNA for Breast Cancer Detection, Monitoring and Management with Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Platforms

Detecting breast cancer (BC) at the initial stages of progression has always been regarded as a lifesaving intervention. With modern technology, extensive studies have unraveled the complexity of BC, but the current standard practice of early breast cancer screening and clinical management of cancer progression is still heavily dependent on tissue biopsies, which are invasive and limited in capturing definitive cancer signatures for more comprehensive applications to improve outcomes in BC care and treatments. In recent years, reviews and studies have shown that liquid biopsies in the form of blood, containing free circulating and exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs), have become increasingly evident as a potential minimally invasive alternative to tissue biopsy or as a complement to biomarkers in assessing and classifying BC. As such, in this review, the potential of miRNAs as the key BC signatures in liquid biopsy are addressed, including the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning platforms (ML), in capitalizing on the big data of miRNA for a more comprehensive assessment of the cancer, leading to practical clinical utility in BC management.

Non-coding RNA-related antitumor mechanisms of marine-derived agents

In the last two decades, natural active substances have attracted great attention in developing new antitumor drugs, especially in the marine environment. A series of marine-derived compounds or derivatives with potential antitumor effects have been discovered and developed, but their mechanisms of action are not well understood. Emerging studies have found that several tumor-related signaling pathways and molecules are involved in the antitumor mechanisms of marine-derived agents, including noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs). In this review, we provide an update on the regulation of marine-derived agents associated with ncRNAs on tumor cell proliferation, apoptosis, cell cycle, invasion, migration, drug sensitivity and resistance. Herein, we also describe recent advances in marine food-derived ncRNAs as antitumor agents that modulate cross-species gene expression. A better understanding of the antitumor mechanisms of marine-derived agents mediated, regulated, or sourced by ncRNAs will provide new biomarkers or targets for potential antitumor drugs from preclinical discovery and development to clinical application.

Circulating miRNAs in Breast Cancer Diagnosis and Prognosis

Great improvement has been made in the diagnosis and therapy of breast cancer patients. However, the identification of biomarkers for early diagnosis, prognosis, therapy assessment and monitoring, including drug resistance and the early detection of micro-metastases, is still lacking. Recently, circulating microRNAs (miRNAs), circulating freely in the blood stream or entrapped in extracellular vesicles (EVs), have been shown to have a potential diagnostic, prognostic or predictive power. In this review, recent findings are summarized, both at a preclinical and clinical level, related to miRNA applicability in the context of breast cancer. Different aspects, including clinical and technical challenges, are discussed, describing the potentialities of miRNA use in breast cancer. Even though more methodological standardized studies conducted in larger and selected patient cohorts are needed to support the effective clinical utility of miRNA as biomarkers, they could represent novel and accessible tools to be transferred into clinical practice.

MicroRNAs as therapeutic targets in breast cancer metastasis

Breast cancer is a complex disease with multiple risk factors involved in its pathogenesis. Among these factors, microRNAs are considered for playing a fundamental role in the development and progression of malignant breast tumors. In recent years, various studies have demonstrated that several microRNAs exhibit increased or decreased expression in metastatic breast cancer, acting as indicators of metastatic potential in body fluids and tissue samples. The identification of these microRNA expression patterns could prove instrumental for the development of novel therapeutic molecules that either mimic or inhibit microRNA action. Additionally, an efficient delivery system mediated by viral vectors, nonviral carriers, or scaffold biomaterials is a prerequisite for implementing microRNA-based therapies; therefore, this review attempts to highlight essential microRNA molecules involved in the metastatic process of breast cancer and discuss recent advances in microRNA-based therapeutic approaches with potential future applications to the treatment sequence of breast cancer.

Serum microRNA as liquid biopsy biomarker for the prediction of oncological outcomes in patients with bladder cancer

OBJECTIVES

Radical cystectomy is the gold-standard treatment for muscle-invasive bladder cancer and aggressive non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer. To enhance clinical decision-making regarding patients with bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy, a recurrence prediction biomarker with high accuracy is urgently needed. In this study, we developed a model for the prediction of bladder cancer recurrence after radical cystectomy by combining serum microRNA and a pathological factor.

METHODS

We retrospectively analyzed the clinical records of 81 patients with bladder cancer who underwent radical cystectomy between 2008 and 2016. The dataset was divided into two, and Fisher linear discriminant analysis was used to construct a prognostic model for future recurrence in the training set (n = 41). The performance of the model was evaluated in the validation set (n = 40).

RESULTS

Thirty patients had recurrence after having undergone radical cystectomy. A prognostic model for recurrence was constructed by combining a pathological factor (i.e. positive pathological lymph node status) and three microRNAs (miR-23a-3p, miR-3679-3p, and miR-3195). The model showed a sensitivity of 0.87, a specificity of 0.80, and an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.88 (0.77-0.98) in the validation set. Furthermore, Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed that patients with a low prediction index have significantly longer overall survival than patients with a high prediction index (P = 0.041).

CONCLUSION

A combination of serum microRNA profiles and lymph node statuses is useful for the prediction of oncological outcomes after radical cystectomy in patients with bladder cancer.

MicroRNA548ac expression level in relation to BDCAF scored Behçet’s disease activity and history of treatment response

Background

Behçet’s disease gives a challenge to be diagnosed and followed up due to lack of specific biomarkers. MicroRNAs showed relations to different disease states including immunological and inflammatory illnesses. In this study, we are estimating microRNA548ac levels for the first time to be tested in the disease to see if there is a link to disease activity and if microRNA548ac can be used as a biomarker for activity or remission and prognosis of Behçet’s disease. MicroRNA548ac has been shown to have a role in autoimmunity and some inflammatory conditions. Blood samples were taken from patients to measure white blood cells expression of microRNA548ac, and compared to its expression in healthy subjects, disease activity was assessed by usage of Behçet’s Disease Current Activity Form (BDCAF).

Results

MicroRNA548ac expression decreased but not significantly with increased Behçet’s disease activity, and expression was having a significant positive correlation with increased treatment response history.

Conclusions

MicroRNA548ac appeared not to be related to disease activity which needs confirmation in further studies, but it may predict response to treatment so that patients having higher expression of microRNA548ac may have a better response to treatment. Here, microRNA548ac could be used as a disease biomarker for disease prognosis.

Neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio as a prognostic factor for patients with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer treated using capecitabine: a retrospective study

Background

Eribulin or capecitabine monotherapy is the next cytotoxic chemotherapy option for patients with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer who have previously received an anthracycline or a taxane. However, it is unclear what factors can guide the selection of eribulin or capecitabine in this setting, and prognostic factors are needed to guide appropriate treatment selection. The neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) is a prognostic factor for eribulin-treated patients, although it is unclear whether it is a prognostic factor for capecitabine-treated patients. Therefore, we analysed the ability of the NLR to predict oncological outcomes among patients who received capecitabine after previous anthracycline or taxane treatment for breast cancer.

Methods

We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of patients with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer who had previously received anthracycline or taxane treatment at the National Cancer Center Hospital between 2007 and 2015. Patients were included if they received eribulin or capecitabine monotherapy as first-line, second-line, or third-line chemotherapy. Analyses of overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) were performed according to various factors.

Results

Between 2007 and 2015, we identified 125 eligible patients, including 46 patients who received only eribulin, 34 patients who received only capecitabine, and 45 patients who received eribulin and capecitabine. The median follow-up period was 19.1 months. Among eribulin-treated patients, an NLR of <3 independently predicted better OS. Among capecitabine-treated patients, an NLR of <3 independently predicted better PFS but not better OS. In addition, a lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio of ≥5 was associated with better PFS and OS.

Conclusions

To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to evaluate whether the NLR is a prognostic factor for capecitabine-treated patients with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer. However, the NLR only independently predicted PFS in this setting, despite it being a useful prognostic factor for other chemotherapies.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s12885-021-09112-9.

Identification of serum miR-378 and miR-575 as diagnostic indicators and predicting surgical prognosis in human epilepsy

Background

Epilepsy (EP) is a common neurological disorder which is characterized by excessive abnormal synchronization of neuronal discharges in the brain due to chronic recurrent seizures of multiple etiologies. Variety of microRNAs have been associated with the occurrence and development of EP. This study aimed to determine the aberrant expression of miR-378 and miR-575 in EP patients to validate their potential to distinguish EP from healthy patients.

Methods

RT-qPCR was used to determine the expressions of miR-378 and miR-575 from serum specimens of 106 EP and 103 control individuals. Clinical indicators between EP patients and controls were assessed. Based on surgical outcome, EP patients were further divided into Engel I-IV EP. The potentials of miR-378 and miR-575 in discriminating EP from healthy participants and predicting surgical prognosis were calculated by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis.

Results

We found the miR-378 and miR-575 were significantly declined (P<0.001) in Engel I-II and III-IV EP patients with no difference in clinical parameters compared. Moreover, miR-378 and miR-575 displayed high sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy in distinguishing EP patients and predicting surgical outcomes. Moreover, after surgical treatment, miR-378 and miR-575 levels were increased compared with those at admission, suggesting their potentials in treatment response.

Conclusions

miR-378 and miR-575 could be utilized as novel and non-invasive serum biomarkers in discriminating EP from healthy controls and predicting surgical outcome, shedding new insights on epileptogenesis and EP treatment.

Contribution of platelet-derived microRNAs to serum microRNAs in healthy men

Platelets are a major source of microRNAs (miRNAs) in blood. Relationships between circulating platelet-derived miRNAs were investigated to elucidate their significance as biomarkers. Total miRNAs in serum were analyzed using the 3D-Gene miRNA Oligo chip. Among 22 miRNAs that are included in platelets and play functional roles, sufficient miRNA levels for comparison were detected for 11 miRNAs (let-7b-5p, miR-16-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-24-3p, miR-107, miR-126-3p, miR-150-3p, miR-191-5p, miR-197-3p, miR-223-3p, and miR-326). Among 55 pairs prepared by these miRNAs, relatively strong correlations (Spearman's correlation coefficient >0.8) were shown between miRNAs of 7 pairs including let-7b-5p and miR-16-5p, let-7b-5p and miR-17-5p, let-7b-5p and miR-107, miR-16-5p and miR-17-5p, miR-16-5p and miR-107, miR-17-5p and miR-107, and miR-107 and miR-126-3p. In principal component analysis, the first principal component consisted of let-7b-5p, miR-16-5p, miR-17-5p, miR-107, miR-126-3p, and miR-191-5p. These six miRNAs may be useful biomarkers that reflect platelet condition and function.

Bioinformatics Analysis of the MicroRNA-Metabolic Gene Regulatory Network in Neuropathic Pain and Prediction of Corresponding Potential Therapeutics

Neuropathic pain (NP) involves metabolic processes that are regulated by metabolic genes and their non-coding regulator genes such as microRNAs (miRNAs). Here, we aimed at exploring the key miRNA signatures regulating metabolic genes involved in NP pathogenesis. We downloaded NP-related data from public databases and identified differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) and mRNAs through differential gene expression analysis. The miRNA target prediction was performed, and integration with the differentially expressed metabolic genes (DEMGs) was used for constructing the miRNA-DEMG network. Subsequently, functional enrichment analysis and protein–protein interaction (PPI) analysis were performed to explore the role of DEMGs in the regulatory network. The drug prediction was performed based on the DEMGs in the miRNA-DEMG network. A total of 8251 differentially expressed mRNAs (4193 upregulated and 4058 downregulated), and 959 differentially expressed miRNAs (455 upregulated and 504 downregulated) were identified. Moreover, after target gene prediction, a miRNA-DEMG network composed of 22 miRNAs and 113 mRNAs was constructed. The network was constituted of 135 nodes and 236 edges. We found that DEMGs in the network were mainly enriched in metabolic pathways and metabolic processes. A total of 1200 drugs were predicted as potential therapeutics for NP based on the differentially expressed genes, while 170 drugs were predicted for the DEMGs in the miRNA-DEMG network. Conclusively, our study predicted drugs that may be effective against the metabolic changes induced by miRNA dysregulation in NP. This information will help further reveal the pathological mechanism of NP and provide more treatment options for NP patients.

Liquid biopsy for breast cancer using extracellular vesicles and cell-free microRNAs as biomarkers

Improvement of breast cancer (BC) patient's outcome is directly related to early detection. However, there is still a lack of reliable biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis and, treatment follow up in BC, leading researchers to study the potential of liquid biopsy based on circulating microRNAs (c-miRNAs). These c-miRNAs can be cell-free or associated with extracellular vesicles (EVs), and have great advantages such as stability in biofluids, noninvasive accessibility compared to current techniques (core-biopsy and surgery), and expression associated with pathogenic conditions. Recently, a new promising field of EV-derived miRNAs (EV-miRNAs) as cancer biomarkers has emerged, receiving special attention due to their selective vesicle sorting which makes them accurate for disease detection. In this review, we discuss new findings about c-miRNA and their potential as biomarkers for BC diagnosis, prognosis, and therapy. Additionally, we address the impact of limitations associated with the standardization of analysis techniques and methods on the implementation of these biomarkers in the clinical setting.

Blood levels of microRNAs associated with ischemic heart disease differ between Austrians and Japanese: a pilot study

Mortality from ischemic heart disease (IHD) is significantly lower in Japan than in Western countries. The purpose of this study was to investigate differences in circulating microRNA (miRNA) levels related to IHD in Austrians and Japanese. Participants were middle-aged healthy male Austrians (n = 20) and Japanese (n = 20). Total miRNAs in serum from each participant were analyzed using the 3D-Gene miRNA Oligo chip. Twenty-one miRNAs, previously reported as associated with IHD, were compared between Austrians and Japanese. The expression levels of miR-106a-5p, miR-135a-3p, miR-150-3p, miR-16-5p, miR-17-5p. miR-191-5p, miR-320b, miR-451a, miR-486-5p, miR-663b, and miR-92a-3p were significantly higher, while the miR-2861 expression level was significantly lower in Austrians as compared to Japanese. Both in Austrians and Japanese, there were significant positive correlations between serum expression levels of each pair of the above miRNAs except for miR-2861. The expression level of miR-2861 showed significant positive correlations with the expression levels of miR-106a-5p, miR-150-3p, miR-17-5p, miR-486-5p, miR-663b and miR-92a-3p in Austrians but not in Japanese. In pathway analysis, proinflammatory cytokine production in foam cells and collagen synthesis in vascular smooth muscle cells were associated with differentially expressed miRNAs. Difference in miRNA levels may contribute to lower cardiovascular risk in Japan than in Western countries.

Circulating microRNAs: Next-generation Cancer Detection

Early detection of cancer is crucial for its ultimate control and the prevention of malignant progression. In Japan, a nationwide project was conducted between 2014 and 2019 to develop novel cancer detection tools using serum microRNAs (miRNAs). Using the National Cancer Center Biobank, we collected more than 10,000 serum samples from patients with malignant diseases, including rare cancers such as ovarian cancer, gliomas, and sarcomas. Subsequently, comprehensive miRNA microarray analyses were performed for all samples. This serum miRNA database provides insights regarding miRNA biomarker candidates for each cancer type. Here, we summarize the major achievements of this national project. Notably, although circulating miRNAs packaged in extracellular vesicles are thought to be a cell-to-cell communication tool, the functional characteristics of the miRNAs listed in the project are still unknown. We hope that our findings will help elucidate the biological functions of circulating miRNAs.

Circulating microRNAs as biomarkers in cancer diagnosis

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a group of tiny molecules of 18-22 nucleotide long noncoding RNA that regulate the post-transcriptional gene expression through translational inhibition and/or mRNA destabilization. Because of their involvement in important developmental processes, it is highly likely that the altered expression of miRNAs could be associated with abnormal conditions like suboptimal growth or diseases. Thus, the expression of miRNAs can be used as biomarkers in pathophysiological conditions. Recently, a handful of miRNAs are detected in cell-free conditions including biofluids and cell culture media and they exhibit specific expression patterns that are associated with altered physiological conditions. Extracellular miRNAs are not only extremely stable outside cells in a variety of biofluids but also they are easy to acquire. These characteristics led to the idea of using extracellular miRNAs as a potential biomarker for the onset and prognosis of cancer. Although miRNAs have been proposed as a potential diagnostic tool for cancer detection, their application in the routine clinical investigation is yet to come. First, this review will provide an insight into the extracellular miRNAs, particularly, their release mechanisms and characteristics, and the potential of extracellular miRNAs as a biomarker in cancer detection. Finally, it will discuss the potential of using extracellular miRNAs in different cancer diagnoses and challenges associated with the clinical application of extracellular miRNAs as noninvasive biomarkers.