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Prognostic implications of serum microRNA‐21 in colorectal cancer
Author(s) -
Menéndez Pablo,
Padilla David,
Villarejo Pedro,
Palomino Teodoro,
Nieto Patricia,
Menéndez José M.,
RodríguezMontes José A.
Publication year - 2013
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.23415
Subject(s) - medicine , colorectal cancer , microrna , oncology , proportional hazards model , univariate analysis , logistic regression , carcinogenesis , real time polymerase chain reaction , cancer , gastroenterology , multivariate analysis , gene , biology , biochemistry
Background and objectives MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, noncoding RNAs that are involved in carcinogenesis through postranscriptional gene regulatory activity. Few studies have focused on the detection of miR‐21 in serum rather than in tissue. The current study aimed to measure serum miR‐21 expression levels and to evaluate their association with the outcome of colorectal cancer (CRC). Methods Blood samples were collected from 102 CRC patients undergoing surgery with curative intent. The expression levels of miR‐21 were measured using a quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR). The results were analysed to assess the relationship between serum miR‐21 levels and patient survival. Results A univariate analysis revealed that lower expression levels of serum miR‐21 were associated with higher local recurrence ( P = 0.025) and mortality ( P = 0.029). A logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the relative overexpression of miR‐21 (expression > 1) was associated with a 51% reduction in the risk of recurrence. A Cox regression analysis identified miR‐21 expression as an independent predictor of survival ( P = 0.048); a relative increase in miR‐21 expression (>1) was associated with a 50% reduction in the risk of mortality. Conclusion The expression level of serum miR‐21 correlates with the recurrence and mortality of CRC patients. Our results suggest that circulating serum miR‐21 is a promising prognostic tumour marker, and they highlight the potential clinical utility of miR‐21 expression as a prognostic marker for CRC prognosis. J. Surg. Oncol. 2013; 108:369–373 . © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.