MiR-200b and miR-155 as predictive biomarkers for the efficacy of chemoradiation in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma

Eur J Cancer. 2017 May:77:3-12. doi: 10.1016/j.ejca.2017.02.018. Epub 2017 Mar 26.

Abstract

Background: The predictive value of microRNAs (miRNAs) in tumour cells and infiltrating immune cells for the efficacy of chemoradiation (CRTX) in locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) was evaluated.

Methods: Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumour material was collected from patients with locally advanced HNSCC treated within the ARO-0401 phase III trial with radiotherapy in combination with either 5-fluorouracil/cisplatin (CDDP-CRTX) or 5-fluorouracil/mitomycin C (MMC-CRTX). MiRNA and immune profiles were established in a test cohort of 48 oropharyngeal carcinoma (OPSCC) cases by Affymetrix miRNA microarrays and the nanoString PanCancer Immune Panel, respectively. Expression of miRNA candidates was measured in 149 HNSCC patients by real-time PCR. Interference of miRNA profiles with CRTX efficacy was determined by Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analysis.

Results: Expression levels of five miRNAs (miR-27b, -130b, -200b, -451 and -532-5p) were significantly associated with overall survival after MMC-CRTX. Six different miRNAs (miR-125b, -146a, -150, -155, -187 and -342-5p) were correlated with overall survival after CDDP-CRTX. Validation by real-time PCR confirmed the predictive value of miR-200b and miR-155 in OPSCC, which was absent in hypopharyngeal carcinomas. MiR-146a was revealed as a prognostic marker for both CRTX regimens. MiR-200b expression was mainly associated with distant metastasis, whereas miR-155 correlated with local recurrence. MiR-155 and miR-146a were identified as surrogate markers for tumour-infiltrating lymphocytes.

Conclusions: MiR-200b and miR-155 were established as potential markers for personalised treatment selection of two standard regimens of CRTX. The predictive role of miR-155 deserves further investigation, especially within the framework of clinical trials of CRTX/immune checkpoint inhibitor combinations.

Keywords: Chemoradiotherapy; Gene expression signature; Head and neck cancer; Immune markers; Predictive biomarkers; Therapy outcome.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial, Phase III
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / therapeutic use
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / genetics*
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / metabolism
  • Chemoradiotherapy / methods
  • Cisplatin / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Fluorouracil / administration & dosage
  • Gene Expression Profiling / methods
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Lymphocytes, Tumor-Infiltrating / physiology
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / genetics*
  • MicroRNAs / metabolism
  • Middle Aged
  • Mitomycin / administration & dosage
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / therapy
  • Patient Selection
  • Precision Medicine / methods
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • MIRN155 microRNA, human
  • MIRN200 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mitomycin
  • Cisplatin
  • Fluorouracil