Open AccessProfiling of micro RNA s in tumor interstitial fluid of breast tumors – a novel resource to identify biomarkers for prognostic classification and detection of cancer
Author(s) -
Halvorsen Ann Rita,
Helland Åslaug,
Gromov Pavel,
Wielenga Vera Timmermans,
Talman MajLis Møller,
Brunner Nils,
Sandhu Vandana,
BørresenDale AnneLise,
Gromova Irina,
Haakensen Vilde D.
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
molecular oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.332
H-Index - 88
eISSN - 1878-0261
pISSN - 1574-7891
DOI - 10.1002/1878-0261.12025
Subject(s) - rna , breast cancer , cancer , microrna , biomarker , biology , cancer research , pathology , oncology , medicine , gene , biochemistry
It has been hypothesized based on accumulated data that a class of small noncoding RNA s, termed micro RNA s, are key factors in intercellular communication. Here, micro RNA s present in interstitial breast tumor fluids have been analyzed to identify relevant markers for a diagnosis of breast cancer and to elucidate the cross‐talk that exists among cells in a tumor microenvironment. Matched tumor interstitial fluid samples ( TIF , n = 60), normal interstitial fluid samples ( NIF , n = 51), corresponding tumor tissue specimens ( n = 54), and serum samples ( n = 27) were collected from patients with breast cancer, and detectable micro RNA s were analyzed and compared. In addition, serum data from 32 patients with breast cancer and 22 healthy controls were obtained for a validation study. To identify potential serum biomarkers of breast cancer, first the micro RNA profiles of TIF and NIF samples were compared. A total of 266 micro RNA s were present at higher level in the TIF samples as compared to normal counterparts. Sixty‐one of these micro RNA s were present in > 75% of the serum samples and were subsequently tested in a validation set. Seven of the 61 micro RNA s were associated with poor survival, while 23 were associated with the presence of immune cells and adipocytes. To our knowledge, these data demonstrate for the first time that profiling of micro RNA s in TIF can identify novel biomarkers for the prognostic classification and detection of breast cancer. In addition, the present findings demonstrate that micro RNA s may represent the cross‐talk that occurs between tumor cells and their surrounding stroma.