Evaluation of circulating serum 3 types of microRNA as biomarkers of oral squamous cell carcinoma; A pilot study

J Oral Pathol Med. 2020 Jan;49(1):43-48. doi: 10.1111/jop.12959. Epub 2019 Sep 19.

Abstract

Introduction: The microRNAs are molecules which have important biologic role and play key point in cancers. The aim of present study was to determine the miR-21, miR-24, and miR-29a expression in serum of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma.

Materials and methods: Blood samples were obtained from 40 patients (20 in cases and 20 in control group) to determine the miR-21, miR-24, and miR-29a expressions by using real-time PCR and ΔCT.

Results: Mean miR-29a was -2.28 ± 2.15 and 5.61 ± 2.38 in case and control groups, respectively. The miR-21 was 6.90 ± 3.86 and -0.88 ± 2.31 in case and control groups, respectively. According to the results, miR-24 was 2.13 ± 2.89 and -0.35 ± 2.44 in case and control, respectively. A significant difference was observed on miR-21, miR-24, and miR-29a between two groups (P < .05). The results obtained by t test showed miR-21 and miR-24 were higher and miR-29a was lower in plasma of oral squamous cell carcinoma patients and this differences were significant (P < .05).

Conclusion: These results suggested miR-21, miR-24, and miR-29a in serum of patients with oral squamous cell carcinoma comparing with normal group can be used as potent markers for carcinoma detection and also may be a potentially therapeutic approach in the future. More longitudinal studies with larger samples are necessary to confirm these findings.

Keywords: miR-21; miR-24; miR-29a; microRNA; oral; squamous cell carcinoma.

MeSH terms

  • Biomarkers
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell*
  • Humans
  • MicroRNAs
  • Mouth Neoplasms*
  • Pilot Projects

Substances

  • Biomarkers
  • MicroRNAs