Differences in plasma microRNA content impair microRNA-based signature for breast cancer diagnosis in cohorts recruited from heterogeneous environmental sites

Sci Rep. 2021 Jun 3;11(1):11698. doi: 10.1038/s41598-021-91278-0.

Abstract

Circulating microRNAs are non-invasive biomarkers that can be used for breast cancer diagnosis. However, differences in cancer tissue microRNA expression are observed in populations with different genetic/environmental backgrounds. This work aims at checking if a previously identified diagnostic circulating microRNA signature is efficient in other genetic and environmental contexts, and if a universal circulating signature might be possible. Two populations are used: women recruited in Belgium and Rwanda. Breast cancer patients and healthy controls were recruited in both populations (Belgium: 143 primary breast cancers and 136 healthy controls; Rwanda: 82 primary breast cancers and 73 healthy controls; Ntot = 434), and cohorts with matched age and cancer subtypes were compared. Plasmatic microRNA profiling was performed by RT-qPCR. Random Forest was used to (1) evaluate the performances of the previously described breast cancer diagnostic tool identified in Belgian-recruited cohorts on Rwandan-recruited cohorts and vice versa; (2) define new diagnostic signatures common to both recruitment sites; (3) define new diagnostic signatures efficient in the Rwandan population. None of the circulating microRNA signatures identified is accurate enough to be used as a diagnostic test in both populations. However, accurate circulating microRNA signatures can be found for each specific population, when taken separately.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood*
  • Breast Neoplasms / blood*
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Circulating MicroRNA / blood*
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / genetics
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic / physiology
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • Circulating MicroRNA