39P - MicroRNA as a promising molecular biomarker for liquid biopsy in breast cancer

Background

Breast cancer (BC) is the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women. Mortality associated with BC is generally attributable to metastatic relapse, which swiftly leads to multi-organ failure. Recent advancements in translational medicine have concentrated on identifying novel biomarkers that can provide valuable insights into patient outcomes. A comprehensive analysis of circulating miRNAs can significantly enhance our understanding of tumorigenesis and facilitate the development of miRNA-based approaches for the prognosis, diagnosis, and treatment of breast cancer.

Methods

21 plasma samples from BC patients were analyzed. Total RNA was extracted in automation and library preparation was carried out with the QIAseq miRNA Library kit (Qiagen). The molecular characterization of circulating miRNAs was performed by massive sequencing on an Illumina miSeq platform. Differential miRNA expression was conducted by the RNA-seq Analysis Portal (RAP) considering as significance a False Discovery Rate (FDR) value <0.1. NGS data were confirmed by RT-qPCR in 30 patients.

Results

The study revealed the aberrant expression of 10 miRNAs between early breast cancer vs metastatic patients. In particular, miR-146a-5p, miR-126-5p, miR-122-5p, miR-16-5p, miR-142-3p, miR-223-3p, miR-103a-3p, miR-221-3p, miR-21-5p, miR-30d-5p were significantly (FDR<0.07) associated with an advanced disease. Likewise, higher levels of miR223-3p, miR146a-5p and miR148b-3p were observed in ductal vs lobular (FDR<0.1) tumor histotypes. The deregulation of one key miRNA correlated with patients’ metastatic pattern. The up regulation of miR126-3p was associated with the development of visceral metastases (FDR<0.05). The expression profiles found are useful in stratify patients in more homogenous groups.

Conclusions

The results of the present study suggest that miRNA profiling could be used as new potential prognostic and predicting tool in breast cancer, overcoming the limitations of the validated biomarkers.

Editorial acknowledgement

Clinical trial identification

Legal entity responsible for the study

Institute of Pathological Anatomy, Universal Hospital of Udine ASUFC, Udine, Italy.

Funding

Has not received any funding.

Disclosure

All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.