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Belge G, Dumlupinar C, Nestler T, Klemke M, Törzsök P, Trenti E, Pichler R, Loidl W, Che Y, Hiester A, Matthies C, Pichler M, Paffenholz P, Kluth L, Wenzel M, Sommer J, Heinzelbecker J, Schriefer P, Winter A, Zengerling F, Kramer MW, Lengert M, Frey J, Heidenreich A, Wülfing C, Radtke A, Dieckmann KP. Detection of Recurrence through microRNA-371a-3p Serum Levels in a Follow-up of Stage I Testicular Germ Cell Tumors in the DRKS-00019223 Study. Clin Cancer Res 2024; 30:404-412. [PMID: 37967143 PMCID: PMC10792362 DOI: 10.1158/1078-0432.ccr-23-0730] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/09/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 11/13/2023] [Indexed: 11/17/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Surveillance of clinical stage I (CSI) testicular germ cell tumors (GCT) is hampered by low sensitivity and specificity of current biomarkers for detecting relapses. This study evaluated if serum levels of microRNA371a-3p (M371 test) can: (i) Accurately detect relapses, (ii) detect relapses earlier than conventional technology, and (iii) if elevated postoperative M371 levels may predict relapse. EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN In a multicentric setting, 258 patients with testicular CSI GCT were prospectively followed by surveillance for a median time of 18 months with serial measurements of serum M371 levels, in addition to standard diagnostic techniques. Diagnostic characteristics of M371 for detecting relapses were calculated using ROC curve analysis. RESULTS Thirty-nine patients recurred (15.1%), all with elevated M371 levels; eight without relapse had elevations, too. The test revealed the following characteristics: area under the ROC curve of 0.993, sensitivity 100%, specificity 96.3%, positive predictive value 83%, negative predictive value 100%. Earlier relapse detection with the test was found in 28%, with non-significant median time gain to diagnosis. Postoperative M371 levels did not predict future relapse. CONCLUSIONS The sensitivity and specificity of the M371 test for detecting relapses in CSI GCTs are much superior to those of conventional diagnostics. However, post-orchiectomy M371 levels are not predictive of relapse, and there is no significant earlier relapse detection with the test. In all, there is clear evidence for the utility of the M371 test for relapse detection suggesting it may soon be ready for implementation into routine follow-up schedules for patients with testicular GCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gazanfer Belge
- Department of Tumor Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Cansu Dumlupinar
- Department of Tumor Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Tim Nestler
- Department of Urology, Bundeswehrzentralkrankenhaus Koblenz, Koblenz, Germany
| | - Markus Klemke
- Department of Tumor Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Peter Törzsök
- Department of Urology and Andrology, Paracelsus Medical University, Salzburg University Hospital, Salzburg, Austria
| | | | - Renate Pichler
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Innsbruck, Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Wolfgang Loidl
- Ordensklinikum Barmherzige Schwestern, Department Urology, Linz, Austria
| | - Yue Che
- Department of Urology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Andreas Hiester
- Department of Urology, Heinrich-Heine-University, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Cord Matthies
- Department of Urology, Bundeswehrkrankenhaus Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Martin Pichler
- Research Unit of Non-Coding RNA, Division of Oncology, Medical University of Graz, Graz, Austria
| | - Pia Paffenholz
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
| | - Luis Kluth
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Mike Wenzel
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Frankfurt, Goethe University Frankfurt am Main, Frankfurt am Main, Germany
| | - Jörg Sommer
- Department of Urology, St. Franziskus Krankenhaus Lohne, Lohne, Germany
| | - Julia Heinzelbecker
- Saarland University Medical Centre and Saarland University, Department of Urology, Homburg, Germany
| | | | - Alexander Winter
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Oldenburg, Oldenburg, Germany
| | | | - Mario Wolfgang Kramer
- Department of Urology, Universitätsklinikum Schleswig-Holstein, Campus Lübeck, Lübeck, Germany
| | - Marie Lengert
- Department of Tumor Genetics, Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Jana Frey
- miRdetect GmbH, Bremerhaven, Germany
| | - Axel Heidenreich
- Department of Urology, University Hospital Cologne, Cologne, Germany
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Elesawy AE, Abulsoud AI, Moustafa HAM, Elballal MS, Sallam AAM, Elazazy O, El-Dakroury WA, Abdel Mageed SS, Abdelmaksoud NM, Midan HM, Shahin RK, Elrebehy MA, Nassar YA, Elazab IM, Elballal AS, Elballal MS, Doghish AS. miRNAs orchestration of testicular germ cell tumors - Particular emphasis on diagnosis, progression and drug resistance. Pathol Res Pract 2023; 248:154612. [PMID: 37327566 DOI: 10.1016/j.prp.2023.154612] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 27.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2023] [Revised: 06/05/2023] [Accepted: 06/07/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023]
Abstract
Testicular cancer (TC) is one of the most frequently incident solid tumors in males. A growing prevalence has been documented in developed countries. Although recent advances have made TC an exceedingly treatable cancer, numerous zones in TC care still have divisive treatment decisions. In addition to physical examination and imaging techniques, conventional serum tumor markers have been traditionally used for the diagnosis of testicular germ cell tumors (TGCT). Unlike other genital and urinary tract tumors, recent research methods have not been broadly used in TGCTs. Even though several challenges in TC care must be addressed, a dedicated group of biomarkers could be particularly beneficial to help classify patient risk, detect relapse early, guide surgery decisions, and tailor follow-up. Existing tumor markers (Alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotrophin, and lactate dehydrogenase) have limited accuracy and sensitivity when used as diagnostic, prognostic, or predictive markers. At present, microRNAs (miRNA or miR) play a crucial role in the process of several malignancies. The miRNAs exhibit pronounced potential as novel biomarkers since they reveal high stability in body fluids, are easily detected, and are relatively inexpensive in quantitative assays. In this review, we aimed to shed light on the recent novelties in developing microRNAs as diagnostic and prognostic markers in TC and discuss their clinical applications in TC management.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ahmed E Elesawy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Ahmed I Abulsoud
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt; Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Heliopolis University, Cairo 11785, Egypt.
| | - Hebatallah Ahmed Mohamed Moustafa
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy and Pharmacy Practice, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Mohammed S Elballal
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Al-Aliaa M Sallam
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Ola Elazazy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Walaa A El-Dakroury
- Department of Pharmaceutics and Industrial Pharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Sherif S Abdel Mageed
- Pharmacology and Toxicology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | | | - Heba M Midan
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Reem K Shahin
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Mahmoud A Elrebehy
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Yara A Nassar
- Biology Department, School of Biotechnology, Badr University in Cairo, Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt
| | - Ibrahim M Elazab
- Biochemistry Department, Faculty of Pharmacy, Tanta University, Egypt
| | - Ahmed S Elballal
- Department of Dentistry, Medical Administration, University of Sadat City Menoufia 32897, Egypt
| | | | - Ahmed S Doghish
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Badr University in Cairo (BUC), Badr City, Cairo 11829, Egypt; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Department, Faculty of Pharmacy (Boys), Al-Azhar University, Nasr City 11231, Cairo, Egypt.
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3
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Lesko P, Chovanec M, Mego M. Biomarkers of disease recurrence in stage I testicular germ cell tumours. Nat Rev Urol 2022; 19:637-658. [PMID: 36028719 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-022-00624-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Stage I testicular cancer is a disease restricted to the testicle. After orchiectomy, patients are considered to be without disease; however, the tumour is prone to relapse in ~4-50% of patients. Current predictive markers of relapse, which are tumour size and invasion to rete testis (in seminoma) or lymphovascular invasion (in non-seminoma), have limited clinical utility and are unable to correctly predict relapse in a substantial proportion of patients. Adjuvant therapeutic strategies based on available biomarkers can lead to overtreatment of 50-85% of patients. Discovery and implementation of novel biomarkers into treatment decision making will help to reduce the burden of adjuvant treatments and improve patient selection for adjuvant therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Lesko
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Chovanec
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Mego
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia.
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4
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Constâncio V, Tavares NT, Henrique R, Jerónimo C, Lobo J. MiRNA biomarkers in cancers of the male reproductive system: are we approaching clinical application? Andrology 2022; 11:651-667. [PMID: 35930290 DOI: 10.1111/andr.13258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Specific cancer types face specific clinical management challenges. Owing to their stability, robustness and fast, easy, and cost-effective detection, microRNAs (miRNAs) are attractive candidate biomarkers to the clinic. OBJECTIVES Based on a comprehensive review of the relevant literature in the field, we explore the potential of miRNAs as biomarkers to answer relevant clinical dilemmas inherent to cancers of the male reproductive tract (prostate (PCa), testis (TGCTs) and penis (PeCa)) and identify some of the challenges/limitations hampering their widely application. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION We conclude that the use of miRNAs as biomarkers is at different stages for these distinct cancer types. While for TGCTs, miRNA-371a-3p is universally accepted to fill in important clinicals gaps and is moving fast towards clinical implementation, for PCa almost no overlap of miRNAs exists between studies, denoting the absence of a consistent miRNA biomarker, and for PeCa the field of miRNAs has just recently started, with only a few studies attempting to explore their clinical usefulness. CONCLUSION Technological advances influencing miRNA detection and quantification will be instrumental to continue to move forward with implementation of miRNAs in the clinic as biomarkers for non-invasive diagnosis, risk stratification, treatment monitoring and follow-up. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vera Constâncio
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, 4200-072, Portugal.,Doctoral Programme in Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, 4050-513, Portugal
| | - Nuno Tiago Tavares
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, 4200-072, Portugal
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, 4200-072, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, 4200-072, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, 4050-513, Portugal
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, 4200-072, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, 4050-513, Portugal
| | - João Lobo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP) / RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, 4200-072, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto / Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, Porto, 4200-072, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, Porto, 4050-513, Portugal
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Sequeira JP, Lobo J, Constâncio V, Brito-Rocha T, Carvalho-Maia C, Braga I, Maurício J, Henrique R, Jerónimo C. DigiMir Test: Establishing a Novel Pipeline for MiR-371a Quantification Using Droplet Digital PCR in Liquid Biopsies From Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Patients. Front Oncol 2022; 12:876732. [PMID: 35756620 PMCID: PMC9226402 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2022.876732] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most common cancers in young-adult male patients aged between 15 and 39 years. Hsa-miR-371a-3p is currently the most reliable biomarker for diagnosis and monitoring of these patients non-invasively in liquid biopsies, and it is destined to be introduced in the clinic due to improved performance compared to the classical serum tumor markers available. Current studies have focused on real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) protocols for its determination; still, some challenges remain, since these protocols often require preamplification steps (costly and time-consuming), and report relative levels normalized to a housekeeping microRNA, not always performed the same way. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) shows the promise to overcome these challenges, skipping normalization and preamplifications, but has hardly been explored in the field of TGCTs. In this work, we provide a report of a ddPCR-based pipeline for the quantification of hsa-miR-371a-3p (the DigiMir pipeline) and compare it with two RT-qPCR protocols. A total of 107 plasma samples were investigated in the validation setting. The DigiMir pipeline detected TGCTs in a manner representative of tumor burden, with a sensitivity and specificity of 94% and 100%, respectively, outperforming the combined sensitivity of all three classical serum tumor markers (61.5%). Therefore, in this proof-of-concept investigation, we have shown that the DigiMir pipeline constitutes a new promising methodology to accurately report hsa-miR-371a-3p in the clinical setting.
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Affiliation(s)
- José Pedro Sequeira
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal.,Master in Oncology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - João Lobo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Vera Constâncio
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal.,Doctoral Programme in Biomedical Sciences, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Tiago Brito-Rocha
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal.,Master in Oncology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Carina Carvalho-Maia
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal
| | - Isaac Braga
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Urology and Urology Clinics, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Joaquina Maurício
- Department of Medical Oncology and Urology Clinics, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of IPO Porto (CI-IPOP)/RISE@CI-IPOP (Health Research Network), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto)/Porto Comprehensive Cancer Centre (Porto.CCC), Porto, Portugal.,Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Porto, Portugal
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Ahmadi H, Jang TL, Daneshmand S, Ghodoussipour S. Editorial by Bendu K. Konneh, John T. Lafin and Aditya Bagrodia on pp. 341-342 of this issue: MicroRNA-371a-3p as a blood-based biomarker in testis cancer. Asian J Urol 2021; 8:400-406. [PMID: 34765447 PMCID: PMC8566368 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajur.2021.08.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2021] [Revised: 05/17/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs involved in the regulation of mRNA transcription and translation, and possess all desirable features of an ideal tumor marker. Of almost 31 different miRNA clusters identified in germ cell tumors (GCTs), miR-371a-3p has shown exceptionally high sensitivity and specificity for both seminomatous and nonseminomatous GCTs. It is easily obtainable and correlates well with tumor burden. Recent multi-institutional prospective studies have shown promising test characteristics for miR-371a-3p as a diagnostic blood-based biomarker for GCT prior to orchiectomy including 80%-100% sensitivity and 90%-100% specificity. This accuracy may address other unmet needs in the management of patients with GCT. Early studies have suggested the utility of miR-371a-3p in detecting occult nodal metastasis in high-risk clinical stage I and early stage II disease. Ongoing clinical trials including SWOG 1823 and AGCT1531 are specifically designed to confirm the utility of miR-371a-3p in clinical stage I GCT. Despite its strong association with viable GCT after treatment with chemotherapy, miR-371a-3p does not seem to accurately predict the presence of teratoma in residual lesions. Also, standardization of extraction and interpretation methods is a necessary step to assure uniform results across different institutions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamed Ahmadi
- Department of Urology, University of Southern California/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Thomas L Jang
- Section of Urologic Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
| | - Siamak Daneshmand
- Department of Urology, University of Southern California/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Saum Ghodoussipour
- Section of Urologic Oncology, Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ, USA
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Conduit C, Tran B. Improving outcomes in germ cell cancers using miRNA. Ther Adv Med Oncol 2021; 13:17588359211027826. [PMID: 34262617 PMCID: PMC8252353 DOI: 10.1177/17588359211027826] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2021] [Accepted: 06/07/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Owing to advances in treatment paradigms across the last five decades, testicular cancer is now eminently curable. However, current serum tumour and imaging biomarkers lack adequate sensitivity, specificity, and predictive value. Subsequently, their utility in detecting active malignancy and informing treatment decisions is minimal in a large proportion of men with testicular cancer. Micro-ribonucleic acids (miRNA), pertinently miR-371a-3p, offer a new tool, which based on early data, appears to fill many of the gaps that existing biomarkers leave. This paper reviews the evolution of the technology, potential limitations, and discusses the clinical relevance of miRNA as it moves towards the clinic.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciara Conduit
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Ben Tran
- Department of Medical Oncology, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Locked Bag 1, A’Beckett St, Melbourne, VIC 8006, Australia
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, The University of Melbourne, Parkville, VIC, Australia
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8
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Leão R, Albersen M, Looijenga LHJ, Tandstad T, Kollmannsberger C, Murray MJ, Culine S, Coleman N, Belge G, Hamilton RJ, Dieckmann KP. Circulating MicroRNAs, the Next-Generation Serum Biomarkers in Testicular Germ Cell Tumours: A Systematic Review. Eur Urol 2021; 80:456-466. [PMID: 34175151 DOI: 10.1016/j.eururo.2021.06.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
CONTEXT Clinical management of testicular germ cell tumours (GCTs) is hampered by low sensitivity and specificity of the biomarkers currently in use. Circulating microRNAs (miRs) might offer the potential to address areas of unmet clinical need. OBJECTIVE To systematically evaluate the evidence for clinical applications of serum levels of miR302/367 and miR371-3 in adult testicular GCTs in terms of primary diagnosis, various clinical scenarios, and the costs of clinical implementation. EVIDENCE ACQUISITION We performed a critical review of PubMed/Medline, Embase and the Cochrane Library in January 2021 in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Review and Meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement. EVIDENCE SYNTHESIS Thirty-one manuscripts addressed miR performance and potential clinical use in testicular GCT. Of these, 23 evaluated the utility in primary diagnosis, seven in early-stage disease, and 13 in metastatic disease, and two addressed the costs of clinical implementation. Of the various miRs studied, miR-371a-3p appears the most useful and potentially the only one that needs to be assayed, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve >0.90, sensitivity of 89-96%, and specificity of >90% for both seminoma and nonseminoma, surpassing the classic serum tumour markers. The miRs studied to date are not elevated in cases with teratoma only. Levels of miR-371a-3p correlate with primary tumour mass, clinical stage, and International Germ Cell Cancer Collaborative Group risk groups. Serial measurements mirror treatment efficacy in all clinical stages. CONCLUSIONS Circulating miRNA levels, particularly of miR-371a-3p, have potential for incorporation in clinical practice and may aid in clinical decision-making in various clinical scenarios in GCT. PATIENT SUMMARY We analysed the current evidence on the usefulness of blood levels of molecules called microRNAs in the management of testicular tumours. The microRNA-371a-3p molecule has better sensitivity and specificity than the markers currently being measured. This new biomarker may soon have a place in clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Leão
- Department of Urology, Hospital de Braga, Hospitais CUF, Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal
| | - Maarten Albersen
- Department of Urology, University Hospitals Leuven, Leuven, Belgium
| | | | - Torgrim Tandstad
- The Cancer Clinic, St. Olav's University Hospital, Trondheim, Norway
| | - Christian Kollmannsberger
- Department of Medicine, Medical Oncology Division, BC Cancer, Vancouver Centre, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, Canada
| | - Matthew J Murray
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Stephane Culine
- Department of Medical Oncology, Hôpital Saint-Louis, AP-HP, Paris, France; Paris-Diderot University, Paris, France
| | - Nicholas Coleman
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK; Department of Histopathology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Gazanfer Belge
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Robert J Hamilton
- Department of Surgical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, Canada
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9
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Lobo J, Leão R, Jerónimo C, Henrique R. Liquid Biopsies in the Clinical Management of Germ Cell Tumor Patients: State-of-the-Art and Future Directions. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22052654. [PMID: 33800799 PMCID: PMC7961393 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22052654] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2021] [Revised: 02/25/2021] [Accepted: 03/02/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Liquid biopsies constitute a minimally invasive means of managing cancer patients, entailing early diagnosis, follow-up and prediction of response to therapy. Their use in the germ cell tumor field is invaluable since diagnostic tissue biopsies (which are invasive) are often not performed, and therefore only a presumptive diagnosis can be made, confirmed upon examination of the surgical specimen. Herein, we provide an overall review of the current liquid biopsy-based biomarkers of this disease, including the classical, routinely used serum tumor markers—the promising microRNAs rapidly approaching the introduction into clinical practice—but also cell-free DNA markers (including DNA methylation) and circulating tumor cells. Finally, and importantly, we also explore novel strategies and challenges for liquid biopsy markers and methodologies, providing a critical view of the future directions for liquid biopsy tests in this field, highlighting gaps and unanswered questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Lobo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal
| | - Ricardo Leão
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Rua Larga, 3000-370 Coimbra, Portugal;
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: (C.J.); (R.H.); Tel.: +351-22-225084000 (C.J. & R.H.); Fax: +351-22-5084199 (C.J. & R.H.)
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, IPO Porto Research Center (GEBC CI-IPOP), Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPO Porto) & Porto Comprehensive Cancer Center (P.CCC), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal;
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal
- Correspondence: (C.J.); (R.H.); Tel.: +351-22-225084000 (C.J. & R.H.); Fax: +351-22-5084199 (C.J. & R.H.)
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10
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Murray MJ, Scarpini CG, Coleman N. A Circulating MicroRNA Panel for Malignant Germ Cell Tumor Diagnosis and Monitoring. Methods Mol Biol 2021; 2195:225-243. [PMID: 32852767 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-0860-9_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Reverse transcription (RT) based quantitative PCR (qPCR) for quantifying microRNAs (miRNAs) in in the circulation presents specific challenges. Here, we describe an optimized research protocol to assess serum sample quality and quantify levels of a panel of four test miRNAs (miR-371a-3p, miR-372-3p, miR-373-3p, and miR-367-3p) that enables highly sensitive and specific malignant germ cell tumor (GCT) diagnosis and monitoring. This protocol utilizes a multiplex RT step using Taqman miRNA stem-loop primers. A multiplexed preamplification stage is then employed to increase the sensitivity of the final quantification step, which is performed using standard singleplex Taqman qPCR methodology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Murray
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. .,Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
| | | | - Nicholas Coleman
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK. .,Department of Histopathology, Addenbrooke's Hospital, Cambridge, UK.
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11
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Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) exhibit, in contrast to other cancer types, a relatively low mutational burden. However, numerous epigenetic alterations have been shown to impact TGCT. In this review, we summarize the most relevant findings of the past 2 years. RECENT FINDINGS Recent studies focused on the functions of microRNAs and the impact of aberrant DNA methylation. Moreover, several epigenetic drugs with antineoplastic effects in TGCTs were identified. SUMMARY Aberrant DNA methylation and differentially expressed microRNAs have an important effect on TGCT pathogenesis. Moreover, differential DNA methylation patterns were found to be specific for different TGCT subtypes. Various microRNAs, such as miR-371a-3p, were found to be highly sensitive and specific biomarkers for TGCT. The epigenetic drugs guadecitabine, animacroxam, and JQ1 showed promising effects on TGCT in preclinical in-vivo and in-vitro studies.
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12
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Radtke A, Dieckmann KP, Grobelny F, Salzbrunn A, Oing C, Schulze W, Belge G. Expression of miRNA-371a-3p in seminal plasma and ejaculate is associated with sperm concentration. Andrology 2020; 7:469-474. [PMID: 31310058 DOI: 10.1111/andr.12664] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2018] [Revised: 05/06/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The microRNAs of the miR-371-3 cluster are novel serum markers for testicular germ cell tumors. Sporadic reports suggested the expression of this miRNA in semen. OBJECTIVES To verify the expression of miR-371a-3p in seminal plasma and unprocessed ejaculate; to compare seminal plasma miRNA levels in germ cell tumors patients with those of controls; to look for an association of miRNA levels with semen quality. MATERIALS AND METHODS The miR-371a-3p expression was analyzed with qPCR. The study population consisted of 100 participants: seminal plasma samples from 20 germ cell tumors patients and 30 controls, serum samples from 12 healthy men, ejaculate samples from 38 men undergoing fertility testing. RESULTS The seminal plasma miR-371a-3p levels of germ cell tumors patients were not different from controls. The miRNA expression was very low in serum but much higher in seminal plasma. In ejaculate samples, the miRNA expression significantly correlated with sperm concentration and the total sperm count. DISCUSSION miR-371-a-3p is present in sperm-containing fluids. Seminal plasma levels cannot be used to distinguish germ cell tumors from controls. The correlation with sperm concentration in ejaculate samples suggests the spermatozoa as possible source of miR-371a-3p production. CONCLUSION The miR-371a-3p levels in ejaculate could represent a novel biomarker for the non-invasive evaluation of male infertility.
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Affiliation(s)
- A Radtke
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - K-P Dieckmann
- Department of Urology, Asklepios Klinik Altona, Hamburg, Germany.,Amedes Group, MVZ Fertility Center GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
| | - F Grobelny
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - A Salzbrunn
- Institute of Andrology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - C Oing
- Department of Oncology, Hematology and Bone Marrow Transplantation with Division of Pneumology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - W Schulze
- Amedes Group, MVZ Fertility Center GmbH, Hamburg, Germany
| | - G Belge
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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13
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Belge G, Hennig F, Dumlupinar C, Grobelny F, Junker K, Radtke A, Dieckmann KP. Graded expression of microRNA-371a-3p in tumor tissues, contralateral testes, and in serum of patients with testicular germ cell tumor. Oncotarget 2020; 11:1462-1473. [PMID: 32363003 PMCID: PMC7185068 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.27565] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2020] [Accepted: 04/03/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Serum levels of microRNA-371a-3p represent a specific tumor marker of testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) but the origin of circulating miR-371a-3p is not finally resolved. The correlation between miR-levels in tissue and serum is unclear.
Results: MiR-levels in GCT tissue are 399-fold higher than in contralateral testicular tissue and 5843-fold higher than in non-testicular tissue. MiR tissue levels correlate with corresponding serum levels (r2 = 0.181). ISH detected miR-371a-3p intracellularly in GCT cells except teratoma. A low expression was also detected in normal testicular germ cells.
Conclusions: Circulating miR-371a-3p is specifically derived from GCT tissue. The miR is present in GCT cells except teratoma. A low expression is also found in normal testicular tissue but not in non-testicular tissue. MiR-371a-3p levels in tissue and serum correlate significantly. This study underscores the usefulness of serum miR-371a-3p as tumor marker of GCT.
Patients and methods: Expression levels of miR-371a-3p were concurrently measured in tissues of GCT, contralateral testes (n = 38), and in serum (n = 36) with real time PCR. For control, 5 healthy testicles and 4 non-testicular tissue samples were examined. MiR-levels were compared using descriptive statistical methods. We also performed in situ hybridization (ISH) of GCT tissue with a probe specific for miR-371a-3p.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gazanfer Belge
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Finja Hennig
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Cansu Dumlupinar
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | | | - Klaus Junker
- Department of Pathology, Klinikum Bremen-Mitte, Bremen, Germany
| | - Arlo Radtke
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
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14
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Murray MJ, Ajithkumar T, Harris F, Williams RM, Jalloh I, Cross J, Ronghe M, Ward D, Scarpini CG, Nicholson JC, Coleman N. Clinical utility of circulating miR-371a-3p for the management of patients with intracranial malignant germ cell tumors. Neurooncol Adv 2020; 2:vdaa048. [PMID: 32642701 PMCID: PMC7236383 DOI: 10.1093/noajnl/vdaa048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The current biomarkers alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and human chorionic gonadotropin (HCG) have limited sensitivity/specificity for diagnosing malignant germ cell tumors (GCTs) and "marker-negative" patients require histological confirmation for diagnosis. However, GCTs at intracranial sites are surgically relatively inaccessible and biopsy carries risks. MicroRNAs from the miR-371~373 and miR-302/367 clusters are over-expressed in all malignant GCTs and, in particular, miR-371a-3p shows elevated serum levels at diagnosis for testicular disease. Methods Using our robust preamplified qRT-PCR methodology, we quantified miR-371a-3p levels in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in a series of 4 representative clinical cases, 3 with intracranial malignant GCT and 1 with Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), compared with appropriate control cases. Results Serum and/or CSF miR-371a-3p levels distinguished those with intracranial malignant GCTs from LCH and, if known in real time, could have helped clinical management. The benefits would have included (1) the only confirmatory evidence of an intracranial malignant GCT in 1 case, supporting clinical decision making; (2) early detection of intracranial malignant GCT in another, where an elevated CSF miR-371a-3p level preceded the histologically confirmed diagnosis by 2 years; and (3) confirmation of an intracranial malignant GCT relapse with an elevated serum miR-371a-3p level, where serum and CSF AFP and HCG levels were below thresholds for such a diagnosis. Conclusions This series highlights the potential for microRNA quantification to assist the noninvasive diagnosis, prognostication, and management for patients with intracranial malignant GCTs. Serum and CSF should be collected routinely as part of future studies to facilitate the extension of these findings to larger patient cohorts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Matthew J Murray
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Thankamma Ajithkumar
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Fiona Harris
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Rachel M Williams
- Department of Paediatric Endocrinology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Ibrahim Jalloh
- Department of Neurosurgery, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Justin Cross
- Department of Neuroradiology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Milind Ronghe
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Royal Hospital for Children, Glasgow, UK
| | - Dawn Ward
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | | | - James C Nicholson
- Department of Paediatric Haematology and Oncology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Nicholas Coleman
- Department of Pathology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.,Department of Histopathology, Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Cambridge, UK
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15
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Application of miRNAs in the diagnosis and monitoring of testicular germ cell tumours. Nat Rev Urol 2020; 17:201-213. [PMID: 32157202 DOI: 10.1038/s41585-020-0296-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 57] [Impact Index Per Article: 14.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 02/12/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023]
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) are the most frequent cancer type in young men and originate from the common precursor germ cell neoplasia in situ (GCNIS). For decades, clinical management of patients with TGCT has relied on classic serum tumour markers: α-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotropin subunit-β and lactate dehydrogenase. In the past 10 years, microRNAs have been shown to outperform classic serum tumour markers in the diagnosis of primary tumours and in follow-up monitoring and prediction of relapse. miR-371a-3p is the most consistent marker and exhibits >90% diagnostic sensitivity and specificity in TGCT. However, miR-371a-3p cannot be used to diagnose GCNIS or mature teratoma. Future efforts must technically standardize the microRNA-based methods internationally and introduce miR-371a-3p as a molecular liquid biopsy-based marker for TGCTs in the clinic.
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16
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Lembeck AL, Puchas P, Hutterer G, Barth DA, Terbuch A, Bauernhofer T, Pichler M. MicroRNAs as Appropriate Discriminators in Non-Specific Alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP) Elevation in Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Patients. Noncoding RNA 2020; 6:ncrna6010002. [PMID: 31906360 PMCID: PMC7151547 DOI: 10.3390/ncrna6010002] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/23/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 12/28/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are the most commonly diagnosed malignancies in younger men. The monitoring of disease course and recurrence is supported by traditional tumor markers, including α-fetoprotein (AFP). AFP is physiologically synthesized in the liver and can be detected at increased levels in testicular cancer patients as well as under other benign liver diseases, which have been reported as a misleading cause of interpretation of TGCTs clinical course. A cluster of stem cell-associated microRNAs has been reported to outperform traditional tumor markers in newly diagnosed TGCTs, but the value of these microRNAs to differentiate between specific and unspecific AFP elevations, has never been reported. We report here a patient with chronic hepatitis B and normal liver related blood values presenting with a surgically removed primary TGCT and elevated AFP levels. Clinical staging revealed a suspect retroperitoneal metastatic lymph node together with other risk factors and first line treatment with PEB chemotherapy was administered. During curative treatment significantly rising AFP levels led to the assumption of chemo-resistant disease, mandating the initiation of salvage chemotherapy and surgical removal of the putative lymph node metastases. The AFP levels continuously decreased with the interruption of chemotherapeutic agents, indicating a chemotherapy-induced liver toxicity on the basis of pre-existing liver disease. MiR-371a-3p serum levels were not detectable in serum samples with elevated AFP levels. In conclusion, miR-371a-3p may be a reliable biomarker to differentiate between non-specific AFP elevations in TGCTs patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna L. Lembeck
- Division of Oncology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (A.L.L.); (P.P.); (D.A.B.); (A.T.); (T.B.)
| | - Philip Puchas
- Division of Oncology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (A.L.L.); (P.P.); (D.A.B.); (A.T.); (T.B.)
| | - Georg Hutterer
- Department of Urology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria;
| | - Dominik A. Barth
- Division of Oncology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (A.L.L.); (P.P.); (D.A.B.); (A.T.); (T.B.)
| | - Angelika Terbuch
- Division of Oncology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (A.L.L.); (P.P.); (D.A.B.); (A.T.); (T.B.)
| | - Thomas Bauernhofer
- Division of Oncology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria; (A.L.L.); (P.P.); (D.A.B.); (A.T.); (T.B.)
| | - Martin Pichler
- Division of Oncology and Research Unit for Non-Coding RNA and Genome Editing, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria
- Correspondence:
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17
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Chovanec M, Kalavska K, Mego M, Cheng L. Liquid biopsy in germ cell tumors: biology and clinical management. Expert Rev Mol Diagn 2019; 20:187-194. [PMID: 31652083 DOI: 10.1080/14737159.2019.1685383] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Introduction: Liquid biopsy is an increasingly studied approach for optimal and minimally invasive diagnostics of malignant tumors. The aim of this review is to provide evidence and discuss the utility of liquid biopsy in the management of germ cell tumors (GCTs).Areas covered: Herein, we summarize the evidence on liquid biopsy in GCTs including serum tumor markers, circulating tumor cells, microRNA and cell-free DNA. The search of literature was conducted from Pubmed/Medline, ASCO-meeting library searching for terms 'liquid biopsy', 'germ cell tumors', 'circulating tumor cells', 'microRNA', 'cell-free DNA'. Obtained original studies were included. Reference lists of review articles and key original articles were searched for additional original studies. We included articles published between1990 and 2019.Expert opinion: Liquid biopsy is a minimally invasive tool using body fluids for diagnostic purposes in cancer. The established value of serum tumor markers may be already considered a liquid biopsy technique in diagnosis of GCTs. Possible near-future refinements in diagnosis of GCTs are emerging. Further information on diagnosis, prognosis and resistance is added with recently described microRNAs, circulating tumor cells and cell-free DNA. While great promise is shown, further large-scale validation is needed to incorporate these novel liquid biopsies into clinical practice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michal Chovanec
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Division of Hematology Oncology, Indiana University Simon Cancer Center, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Katarina Kalavska
- Translational Research Unit at 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Michal Mego
- 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia.,Translational Research Unit at 2nd Department of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Comenius University and National Cancer Institute, Bratislava, Slovakia
| | - Liang Cheng
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine0, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA.,Department of Urology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
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18
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Myklebust MP, Rosenlund B, Gjengstø P, Bercea BS, Karlsdottir Á, Brydøy M, Dahl O. Quantitative PCR Measurement of miR-371a-3p and miR-372-p Is Influenced by Hemolysis. Front Genet 2019; 10:463. [PMID: 31191602 PMCID: PMC6539204 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Cell-free microRNAs have been reported as biomarkers for several diseases. For testicular germ cell tumors (GCT), circulating microRNAs 371a-3p and 372-3p in serum and plasma have been proposed as biomarkers for diagnostic and disease monitoring purposes. The most widely used method for quantification of specific microRNAs in serum and plasma is reverse transcriptase real-time quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) by the comparative Ct-method. In this method one or several reference genes or reference microRNAs are needed in order to normalize and calculate the relative microRNA levels across samples. One of the pitfalls in analysis of microRNAs from serum and plasma is the release of microRNAs from blood cells during hemolysis. This is an important issue because varying degrees of hemolysis are not uncommon in routine blood sampling. Thus, hemolysis must be taken into consideration when working with circulating microRNAs from blood. miR-93-5p, miR-30b-5p, and miR-20a-5p have been reported as reference microRNA in analysis of the miR-371a-373 cluster. We here show how these three microRNAs are influenced by hemolysis. We also propose a new reference microRNA, miR-191-5p, which is relatively stable in serum samples with mild hemolysis. In addition, we show how hemolysis can have effect on the reported microRNA levels in patient samples when these reference microRNAs are used in samples with varying levels of hemolysis.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Benedikte Rosenlund
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Peder Gjengstø
- Department of Urology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | | | - Ása Karlsdottir
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Marianne Brydøy
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway
| | - Olav Dahl
- Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway.,Department of Clinical Science, University of Bergen, Bergen, Norway
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Dieckmann KP, Radtke A, Geczi L, Matthies C, Anheuser P, Eckardt U, Sommer J, Zengerling F, Trenti E, Pichler R, Belz H, Zastrow S, Winter A, Melchior S, Hammel J, Kranz J, Bolten M, Krege S, Haben B, Loidl W, Ruf CG, Heinzelbecker J, Heidenreich A, Cremers JF, Oing C, Hermanns T, Fankhauser CD, Gillessen S, Reichegger H, Cathomas R, Pichler M, Hentrich M, Eredics K, Lorch A, Wülfing C, Peine S, Wosniok W, Bokemeyer C, Belge G. Serum Levels of MicroRNA-371a-3p (M371 Test) as a New Biomarker of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors: Results of a Prospective Multicentric Study. J Clin Oncol 2019; 37:1412-1423. [PMID: 30875280 PMCID: PMC6544462 DOI: 10.1200/jco.18.01480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 201] [Impact Index Per Article: 40.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Previous studies suggested that serum levels of microRNA (miR)-371a-3p (so-called M371 test) have a much higher sensitivity and specificity than the classic markers of testicular germ cell tumors (GCTs) and are applicable toward both seminoma and nonseminoma. We sought to confirm the usefulness of this test as a novel biomarker for GCT. PATIENTS AND METHODS In a prospective, multicentric study, serum samples of 616 patients with testicular GCTs and 258 male controls were examined for serum levels of miRNA-371a-3p (miR levels) by quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The GCT population encompassed 359 patients with seminoma and 257 with nonseminoma; 371 had clinical stage I disease, 201 had systemic disease, and 46 had relapses. Paired measurements before and after orchiectomy were performed in 424 patients; 118 with systemic disease had serial measurements during treatment. miR levels were compared with those of β-human chorionic gonadotropin, α-fetoprotein, and lactate dehydrogenase. RESULTS For the primary diagnosis of GCT, the M371 test showed a sensitivity of 90.1%, a specificity of 94.0%, an area under the curve of 0.966 upon receiver operating characteristic analysis, and a positive predictive value of 97.2%. α-Fetoprotein, β-human chorionic gonadotropin, and lactate dehydrogenase had sensitivities of less than 50% in seminoma and slightly higher sensitivities in nonseminomas. miR levels were significantly associated with clinical stage, primary tumor size, and response to treatment. Relapses had elevated miR levels that subsequently dropped to normal upon remission. Teratoma did not express miR-371a-3p. CONCLUSION The M371 test outperforms the classic markers of GCT with both a sensitivity and a specificity greater than 90%. All histologic subgroups, except teratoma, express this marker. The test could be considered for clinical implementation after further validation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Klaus-Peter Dieckmann
- Asklepios Klinik Altona, Hamburg, Germany.,2 Albertinen-Krankenhaus Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | | | - Lajos Geczi
- 4 National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Hanjo Belz
- 11 Zeisigwaldkliniken, Chemnitz, Germany
| | - Stefan Zastrow
- 12 Universitätsklinikum Carl Gustav Carus, Dresden, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Susanne Krege
- 17 Klinikum Essen-Mitte Huyssenstiftung, Essen, Germany
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Anja Lorch
- 31 Urologische Universitätsklinik der Heinrich Heine Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | | | - Sven Peine
- 24 Universitätsklinikum Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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20
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Lobo J, Gillis AJM, Jerónimo C, Henrique R, Looijenga LHJ. Human Germ Cell Tumors are Developmental Cancers: Impact of Epigenetics on Pathobiology and Clinic. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E258. [PMID: 30634670 PMCID: PMC6359418 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20020258] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/07/2018] [Revised: 12/25/2018] [Accepted: 01/07/2019] [Indexed: 02/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Current (high throughput omics-based) data support the model that human (malignant) germ cell tumors are not initiated by somatic mutations, but, instead through a defined locked epigenetic status, representative of their cell of origin. This elegantly explains the role of both genetic susceptibility as well as environmental factors in the pathogenesis, referred to as 'genvironment'. Moreover, it could also explain various epidemiological findings, including the rising incidence of this type of cancer in Western societies. In addition, it allows for identification of clinically relevant and informative biomarkers both for diagnosis and follow-up of individual patients. The current status of these findings will be discussed, including the use of high throughput DNA methylation profiling for determination of differentially methylated regions (DMRs) as well as chromosomal copy number variation (CNV). Finally, the potential value of methylation-specific tumor DNA fragments (i.e., XIST promotor) as well as embryonic microRNAs as molecular biomarkers for cancer detection in liquid biopsies will be presented.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Lobo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (GEBC CI-IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal;.
| | - Ad J M Gillis
- Laboratory of Experimental Patho-Oncology (LEPO), Josephine Nefkens Building, Erasmus MC, Department of Pathology, University Medical Center, Cancer Institute, Be-432A, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.
| | - Carmen Jerónimo
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (GEBC CI-IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal;.
| | - Rui Henrique
- Cancer Biology and Epigenetics Group, Research Center of Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (GEBC CI-IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology, Portuguese Oncology Institute of Porto (IPOP), R. Dr. António Bernardino de Almeida, 4200-072 Porto, Portugal.
- Department of Pathology and Molecular Immunology, Institute of Biomedical Sciences Abel Salazar, University of Porto (ICBAS-UP), Rua Jorge Viterbo Ferreira 228, 4050-513 Porto, Portugal;.
| | - Leendert H J Looijenga
- Laboratory of Experimental Patho-Oncology (LEPO), Josephine Nefkens Building, Erasmus MC, Department of Pathology, University Medical Center, Cancer Institute, Be-432A, PO Box 2040, 3000 CA Rotterdam, The Netherlands.
- Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology, Heidelberglaan 25, 3584 CS Utrecht, The Netherlands.
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21
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The Role of DNA/Histone Modifying Enzymes and Chromatin Remodeling Complexes in Testicular Germ Cell Tumors. Cancers (Basel) 2018; 11:cancers11010006. [PMID: 30577487 PMCID: PMC6357018 DOI: 10.3390/cancers11010006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2018] [Revised: 12/10/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
It is well established that cancer cells exhibit alterations in chromatin structure and accessibility. Indeed, the dysregulation of many protein-coding players with enzymatic activity (DNA and histone-modifying enzymes) and chromatin remodelers have been depicted in various tumor models in recent years. Still, little attention has been directed towards testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs)-representing the most common neoplasm among young adult Caucasian men-with most studies focusing on exploring the role of DNA methyltransferases (DNMTs) and DNA demethylases (TETs). TGCTs represent a complex tumor model, associated with developmental and embryogenesis-related phenomena, and display seldom (cyto)genetic aberrations, leaving room for Epigenetics to explain such morphological and clinical diversity. Herein, we have summarized the major findings that were reported in literature regarding the dysregulation of DNA/histone-modifying enzymes and chromatin remodelers in TGCTs. Additionally, we performed in silico analysis of The Cancer Genome Atlas database to find the most relevant of those players in TGCTs. We concluded that several DNA/histone-modifying enzymes and chromatin remodelers may serve as biomarkers for subtyping, dictating prognosis and survival, and, possibly, for serving as targets of directed, less toxic therapies.
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22
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Leão R, Ahmad AE, Hamilton RJ. Testicular Cancer Biomarkers: A Role for Precision Medicine in Testicular Cancer. Clin Genitourin Cancer 2018; 17:e176-e183. [PMID: 30497810 DOI: 10.1016/j.clgc.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2018] [Revised: 10/11/2018] [Accepted: 10/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) represent the most common solid tumors among men aged 15 to 34 years. Fortunately, recent advances have made testicular cancer a highly curable disease. Despite the high cure rates, there are still several areas in testis cancer care where treatment decisions are controversial and guided only with clinical factors and historic serum tumor markers. Unfortunately, unlike other genitourinary malignancies, modern research techniques have not been widely tested or applied to germ cell tumors, perhaps as a result of excellent prognosis in this cohort of young men. Despite this, there remain numerous challenges and pitfalls in testis cancer care that need to be addressed. A reliable set of biomarkers could be extremely useful in helping risk-stratify patients, detect relapse early, guide surgical decision-making, and tailor follow-up. Current tumor markers (Alpha-fetoprotein, human chorionic gonadotrophin, and lactate dehydrogenase) have low accuracy and low sensitivity when used not only as diagnostic but also as prognostic and predictive markers. In twenty-first century medicine, there is a role for further prognostic stratification and the development of novel biomarkers that offer greater sensitivity and specificity for TGCTs. Despite the initial promising results, the majority of preclinical biomarkers do not, as yet have a proven validated role in clinical practice, and future prospective trials are needed to support and confirm the results of cohort studies. In this narrative review, we aimed to highlight the recent innovations in the development and implementation of novel testicular tumor markers and discuss their clinical applications and limitations in the management of this disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ricardo Leão
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada; Faculty of Medicine, University of Coimbra, Coimbra, Portugal; CUF Department of Urology, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Ardalan E Ahmad
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robert J Hamilton
- Division of Urology, Department of Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
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23
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Terbuch A, Adiprasito JB, Stiegelbauer V, Seles M, Klec C, Pichler GP, Resel M, Posch F, Lembeck AL, Stöger H, Szkandera J, Pummer K, Bauernhofer T, Hutterer GC, Gerger A, Stotz M, Pichler M. MiR-371a-3p Serum Levels Are Increased in Recurrence of Testicular Germ Cell Tumor Patients. Int J Mol Sci 2018; 19:ijms19103130. [PMID: 30321995 PMCID: PMC6213366 DOI: 10.3390/ijms19103130] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/08/2018] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Metastatic testicular germ cell tumors (TGCTs) are a potentially curable disease by administration of risk-adapted cytotoxic chemotherapy. Nevertheless, a disease-relapse after curative chemotherapy needs more intensive salvage chemotherapy and significantly worsens the prognosis of TGCT patients. Circulating tumor markers (β-subunit of human chorionic gonadotropin (β-HCG), alpha-Fetoprotein (AFP), and Lactate Dehydrogenase (LDH)) are frequently used for monitoring disease recurrence in TGCT patients, though they lack diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. Increasing evidence suggests that serum levels of stem cell-associated microRNAs (miR-371a-3p and miR-302/367 cluster) are outperforming the traditional tumor markers in terms of sensitivity to detect newly diagnosed TGCT patients. The aim of this study was to investigate whether these miRNAs are also informative in detection of disease recurrence in TGCT patients after curative first line therapy. For this purpose, we measured the serum levels of miR-371a-3p and miR-367 in 52 samples of ten TGCT patients at different time points during disease relapse and during salvage chemotherapy. In our study, miR-371a-3p levels in serum samples with proven disease recurrence were 13.65 fold higher than levels from the same patients without evidence of disease (p = 0.014). In contrast, miR-367 levels were not different in these patient groups (p = 0.985). In conclusion, miR-371a-3p is a sensitive and potentially novel biomarker for detecting disease relapse in TGCT patients. This promising biomarker should be investigated in further large prospective trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Angelika Terbuch
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
- Drug Development Unit, Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, Sutton, Surrey SM2 5PT, UK.
| | - Jan B Adiprasito
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
- Research Unit of Non-Coding RNA and Genome Editing in Cancer, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
| | - Verena Stiegelbauer
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
- Research Unit of Non-Coding RNA and Genome Editing in Cancer, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
| | - Maximilian Seles
- Department of Urology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
| | - Christiane Klec
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
- Research Unit of Non-Coding RNA and Genome Editing in Cancer, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
| | - Georg P Pichler
- Department of Urology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
| | - Margit Resel
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
| | - Florian Posch
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
- Research Unit of Non-Coding RNA and Genome Editing in Cancer, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
| | - Anna L Lembeck
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
| | - Herbert Stöger
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
| | - Joanna Szkandera
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
| | - Karl Pummer
- Department of Urology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
| | - Thomas Bauernhofer
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
- Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed), 8036 Graz, Austria.
| | - Georg C Hutterer
- Department of Urology, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
| | - Armin Gerger
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
- Center for Biomarker Research in Medicine (CBmed), 8036 Graz, Austria.
| | - Michael Stotz
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
| | - Martin Pichler
- Division of Clinical Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
- Research Unit of Non-Coding RNA and Genome Editing in Cancer, Medical University of Graz, 8036 Graz, Austria.
- Department of Experimental Therapeutics, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
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24
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Radtke A, Hennig F, Ikogho R, Hammel J, Anheuser P, Wülfing C, Belge G, Dieckmann KP. The Novel Biomarker of Germ Cell Tumours, Micro-RNA-371a-3p, Has a Very Rapid Decay in Patients with Clinical Stage 1. Urol Int 2018; 100:470-475. [PMID: 29698973 DOI: 10.1159/000488771] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Accumulating evidence suggests serum levels of microRNA (miR)-371a-3p to be a novel tumour marker of testicular germ cell tumours (GCTs). Presently, there is only limited information regarding the velocity of decline of serum levels in response to treatment. PATIENTS AND METHODS Twenty-four patients with testicular GCT (20 seminoma, 4 nonseminoma, median age 40 years) with clinical stage 1 had measurements of serum levels of miR-371a-3p preoperatively and repeatedly on the following 3 days. Three had additional tests done within 24 h after surgery. Measurement results were analysed using descriptive statistical methods. RESULTS Serum levels dropped to 2.62, 1.27, and 0.47% of the preoperative level within 1, 2, and 3 days, respectively. The computed half-life amounts to 3.7-7 h. The velocity of decay is significantly associated with tumour size. CONCLUSIONS Serum-levels of miR-371a-3p have a short half-life of less than 12 h. The rapid decay after treatment represents a valuable feature confirming the usefulness of miR-371a-3p as a valuable serum biomarker of GCT.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arlo Radtke
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Finja Hennig
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Raphael Ikogho
- Department of Urology, Albertinen Krankenhaus, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Johannes Hammel
- Department of Urology, Klinikum Bremen-Mitte, Bremen, Germany
| | - Petra Anheuser
- Department of Urology, Albertinen Krankenhaus, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Urology, Asklepios Klinik St. Georg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Wülfing
- Department of Urology, Hodentumorzentrum Hamburg, Asklepios Klinik Altona, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Gazanfer Belge
- Faculty of Biology and Chemistry, University of Bremen, Bremen, Germany
| | - Klaus-Peter Dieckmann
- Department of Urology, Albertinen Krankenhaus, Hamburg, Germany.,Department of Urology, Hodentumorzentrum Hamburg, Asklepios Klinik Altona, Hamburg, Germany
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