Background/aim: Clinical management of testicular germ cell tumours (GCT) is based upon the measurement of serum tumour markers. Recent studies have shown that the microRNA-371a-3p is a sensitive and specific serum biomarker for all subgroups of GCT, except teratoma. To close the diagnostic gap relating to teratoma, serum levels of microRNA-375-3p have recently been suggested to represent a specific serum marker of this histological subgroup. In the present study, we tested this hypothesis.
Materials and methods: miRNA expression was analysed in serum of 21 GCT patients with teratoma, twelve patients with other GCT, and twelve male controls using the qPCR method.
Results: The serum miR-375-3p levels of teratoma patients were not different from other GCT patients or controls. The ROC analysis revealed an AUC of 0.524 for the discrimination between teratoma and other pathologies.
Conclusion: The miR-375-3p does probably not qualify for a useful serum biomarker to distinguish teratoma from other GCTs and from controls.
Keywords: biomarkers; miR-375-3p; microRNA; serum; teratoma; testicular germ cell tumour.
Copyright© 2020, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. George J. Delinasios), All rights reserved.