miRNAs: Potential as Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets for Cancer

Serum extracellular vesicle-derived miR-21-5p and miR-26a-5p as non-invasive diagnostic potential biomarkers for gastric cancer: A preliminary study

PURPOSE

Gastric cancer is the most common malignancy worldwide and is the third leading cause of cancer-related deaths, urgently requiring an early and non-invasive diagnosis. Circulating extracellular vesicles may emerge as promising biomarkers for the rapid diagnosis in a non-invasive manner.

METHODS

Using high-throughput small RNA sequencing, we profiled the small RNA population of serum-derived extracellular vesicles from healthy controls and gastric cancer patients. Differentially expressed microRNAs (miRNAs) were randomly selected and validated by reverse transcription-quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Receiver operating characteristic curves were employed to assess the predictive value of miRNAs for gastric cancer.

RESULTS

In this study, 193 differentially expressed miRNAs were identified, of which 152 were upregulated and 41 were significantly downregulated. Among the differently expressed miRNA, the expression levels of miR-21-5p, miR-26a-5p, and miR-27a-3p were significantly elevated in serum-derived extracellular vesicles of gastric cancer patients. The miR-21-5p and miR-27a-3p were closely correlated with the tumor size. Moreover, the expression levels of serum miR-21-5p and miR-26a-5p were significantly decreased in gastric cancer patients after surgery.

CONCLUSIONS

The present study discovered the potential of serum miR-21-5p and miR-26a-5p as promising candidates for the diagnostic and prognostic markers of gastric cancer.

Identifying miRNA as biomarker for breast cancer subtyping using association rule

- This paper presents a comprehensive study focused on breast cancer subtyping, utilizing a multifaceted approach that integrates feature selection, machine learning classifiers, and miRNA regulatory networks. The feature selection process begins with the CFS algorithm, followed by the Apriori algorithm for association rule generation, resulting in the identification of significant features tailored to Luminal A, Luminal B, HER-2 enriched, and Basal-like subtypes. The subsequent application of Random Forest (RF) and Support Vector Machine (SVM) classifiers yielded promising results, with the SVM model achieving an overall accuracy of 76.60 % and the RF model demonstrating robust performance at 80.85 %. Detailed accuracy metrics revealed strengths and areas for refinement, emphasizing the potential for optimizing subtype-specific recall. To explore the regulatory landscape in depth, an analysis of selected miRNAs was conducted using MIENTURNET, a tool for visualizing miRNA-target interactions. While FDR analysis raised concerns for HER-2 and Basal-like subtypes, Luminal A and Luminal B subtypes showcased significant miRNA-gene interactions. Functional enrichment analysis for Luminal A highlighted the role of Ovarian steroidogenesis, implicating specific miRNAs such as hsa-let-7c-5p and hsa-miR-125b-5p as potential diagnostic biomarkers and regulators of Luminal A breast cancer. Luminal B analysis uncovered associations with the MAPK signaling pathway, with miRNAs like hsa-miR-203a-3p and hsa-miR-19a-3p exhibiting potential diagnostic and therapeutic significance. In conclusion, this integrative approach combines machine learning techniques with miRNA analysis to provide a holistic understanding of breast cancer subtypes. The identified miRNAs and associated pathways offer insights into potential diagnostic biomarkers and therapeutic targets, contributing to the ongoing efforts to improve breast cancer diagnostics and personalized treatment strategies.

Mapping the function of MicroRNAs as a critical regulator of tumor-immune cell communication in breast cancer and potential treatment strategies

Among women, breast cancer ranks as the most prevalent form of cancer, and the presence of metastases significantly reduces prognosis and diminishes overall survival rates. Gaining insights into the biological mechanisms governing the conversion of cancer cells, their subsequent spread to other areas of the body, and the immune system's monitoring of tumor growth will contribute to the advancement of more efficient and targeted therapies. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play a critical role in the interaction between tumor cells and immune cells, facilitating tumor cells' evasion of the immune system and promoting cancer progression. Additionally, miRNAs also influence metastasis formation, including the establishment of metastatic sites and the transformation of tumor cells into migratory phenotypes. Specifically, dysregulated expression of these genes has been associated with abnormal expression of oncogenes and tumor suppressor genes, thereby facilitating tumor development. This study aims to provide a concise overview of the significance and function of miRNAs in breast cancer, focusing on their involvement as tumor suppressors in the antitumor immune response and as oncogenes in metastasis formation. Furthermore, miRNAs hold tremendous potential as targets for gene therapy due to their ability to modulate specific pathways that can either promote or suppress carcinogenesis. This perspective highlights the latest strategies developed for miRNA-based therapies.

Targeted therapy for multiple myeloma: an overview on CD138-based strategies

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematological disease characterized by the uncontrolled growth of plasma cells primarily in the bone marrow. Although its treatment consists of the administration of combined therapy regimens mainly based on immunomodulators and proteosome inhibitors, MM remains incurable, and most patients suffer from relapsed/refractory disease with poor prognosis and survival. The robust results achieved by immunotherapy targeting MM-associated antigens CD38 and CD319 (also known as SLAMF7) have drawn attention to the development of new immune-based strategies and different innovative compounds in the treatment of MM, including new monoclonal antibodies, antibody-drug conjugates, recombinant proteins, synthetic peptides, and adaptive cellular therapies. In this context, Syndecan1 (CD138 or SDC1), a transmembrane heparan sulfate proteoglycan that is upregulated in malignant plasma cells, has gained increasing attention in the panorama of MM target antigens, since its key role in MM tumorigenesis, progression and aggressiveness has been largely reported. Here, our aim is to provide an overview of the most important aspects of MM disease and to investigate the molecular functions of CD138 in physiologic and malignant cell states. In addition, we will shed light on the CD138-based therapeutic approaches currently being tested in preclinical and/or clinical phases in MM and discuss their properties, mechanisms of action and clinical applications.

Beyond blood: Advancing the frontiers of liquid biopsy in oncology and personalized medicine

Liquid biopsy is emerging as a pivotal tool in precision oncology, offering a noninvasive and comprehensive approach to cancer diagnostics and management. By harnessing biofluids such as blood, urine, saliva, cerebrospinal fluid, and pleural effusions, this technique profiles key biomarkers including circulating tumor DNA, circulating tumor cells, microRNAs, and extracellular vesicles. This review discusses the extended scope of liquid biopsy, highlighting its indispensable role in enhancing patient outcomes through early detection, continuous monitoring, and tailored therapy. While the advantages are notable, we also address the challenges, emphasizing the necessity for precision, cost-effectiveness, and standardized methodologies in its broader application. The future trajectory of liquid biopsy is set to expand its reach in personalized medicine, fueled by technological advancements and collaborative research.

Non-invasive detection of orthotopic human lung tumors by microRNA expression profiling of mouse exhaled breath condensates and exhaled extracellular vesicles

Aim

The lung is the second most frequent site of metastatic dissemination. Early detection is key to improving survival. Given that the lung interfaces with the external environment, the collection of exhaled breath condensate (EBC) provides the opportunity to obtain biological material including exhaled miRNAs that originate from the lung.

Methods

In this proof-of-principal study, we used the highly metastatic MDA-MB-231 subline 3475 breast cancer cell line (LM-3475) to establish an orthotopic lung tumor-bearing mouse model and investigate non-invasive detection of lung tumors by analysis of exhaled miRNAs. We initially conducted miRNA NGS and qPCR validation analyses on condensates collected from unrestrained animals and identified significant miRNA expression differences between the condensates of lung tumor-bearing and control mice. To focus our purification of EBC and evaluate the origin of these differentially expressed miRNAs, we developed a system to collect EBC directly from the nose and mouth of our mice.

Results

Using nanoparticle distribution analyses, TEM, and ONi super-resolution nanoimaging, we determined that human tumor EVs could be increasingly detected in mouse EBC during the progression of secondary lung tumors. Using our customizable EV-CATCHER assay, we purified human tumor EVs from mouse EBC and demonstrated that the bulk of differentially expressed exhaled miRNAs originate from lung tumors, which could be detected by qPCR within 1 to 2 weeks after tail vein injection of the metastatic cells.

Conclusion

This study is the first of its kind and demonstrates that lung tumor EVs are exhaled in mice and provide non-invasive biomarkers for detection of lung tumors.

An insight into thymidylate synthase inhibitor as anticancer agents: an explicative review

Cancer, a widespread challenge to global health, remains a puzzle of intricate molecular dynamics. This review article delves into the mystery of cancer, with a keen focus on understanding the contributory role of thymidylate synthase (TS) in cancer. TS, a vital enzyme in DNA synthesis and repair, emerges as a significant player in the narrative of cancer development. The conversion of deoxyuridine monophosphate (dUMP) to deoxythymidine monophosphate (dTMP) is a major step in producing DNA. Numerous malignancies, including those of the breast, colon, lung, and ovary, have been linked to dysregulation of TS activity. Overexpression or mutations of TS lead to uncontrolled cell proliferation and tumorigenesis molecular interactions and signalling pathways involving TS come under scrutiny, revealing the nuanced connections that propel its involvement in cancer progression. Beyond overexpression and mutations, there emerges a subtle layer of regulation that involves microRNAs (miRNAs). These tiny particles attach to the TS messenger RNA, causing translational repression or its degradation, which in turn affects TS activity. Moving towards the therapeutic realm, thymidylate synthase inhibition acts as a promising anti-cancer strategy. Targeting TS with small-molecule inhibitors could provide a novel approach to treat various cancers. By reducing the number of available nucleotides, TS inhibition would slow down or halt cancer cell division, thus depriving the tumor of the building blocks required for its proliferation and growth. The aim is to assess the viability and effectiveness of targeting TS to halt or slow down cancer progression. There is growing evidence that, in comparison to traditional TS inhibitors, few novel antifolate TS inhibitors are effective against a wider variety of neoplasms, such as lung carcinomas. It has been discovered that TS inhibitors increase cancer tissues' sensitivity to chemotherapy and radiation, increasing their vulnerability to these treatments. This article aims to provide a comprehensive insight into TS, examining its cellular details, detailing the heterocyclic moieties and molecular foundations, and providing a promising future outlook.

MiR-320a upregulation contributes to the effectiveness of pemetrexed by inhibiting the growth and invasion of human lung cancer cell line (Calu-6)

BACKGROUND

Lung cancer is a common and deadly disease. Chemotherapy is the most common treatment, which inhibits cancer cell growth. Pemetrexed (PMX) is often used with other drugs. Environmental stress can affect regulatory non-coding RNAs such as MicroRNAs that modify gene expression. This study investigates the effect of PMX on the hsa-miR-320a-3p expression in the Calu-6 lung cancer cell line.

METHODS AND RESULT

Calu-6 cells were cultured in an incubator with 37 °C, 5% CO2, and 98% humidity. The MTT test was performed to determine the concentration of PMX required to inhibit 50% of cell growth. To examine growth inhibition and apoptosis, release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), cell assays and caspase 3 and 7 enzyme activity were used. Finally, molecular studies were conducted to compare the expression of hsa-miR-320a-3p and genes including VDAC1, DHFR, STAT3, BAX and BCL2 before and after therapy.

RESULTS

According to a study, it has been observed that PMX therapy significantly increases LDH release after 24 h. The study found that PMX's IC50 on Calu-6 is 8.870 µM. In addition, the treated sample showed higher expression of hsa-miR-320a-3p and BAX, while the expression of VDAC1, STAT3, DHFR and BCL2 decreased compared to the control sample.

CONCLUSION

According to the findings of the current research, hsa-miR-320a-3p seems to have the potential to play an important role in the development of novel approaches to the treatment of lung cancer.

Assessment of the Efficacy of Circulating Tumor Cells by Liquid Biopsy in the Diagnosis and Prediction of Tumor Behavior of Gliomas: A Systematic Review

In the realm of glioma management, the ability to accurately diagnose and predict tumor behavior remains a formidable task. Emerging as a beacon of hope, liquid biopsy (LB), with its potential to detect circulating tumor (CT) cells, offers a novel and promising avenue for addressing these challenges. This systematic review delves into the effectiveness of LB in transforming the landscape of glioma analysis as well as prognosis, shedding light on its clinical significance and implications. We conducted a comprehensive literature search from 2015 to 2023, using multiple sources. We assessed titles and abstracts first, followed by full-text review if they met our criteria. We included those studies that fulfill the inclusion criteria of the study. For bias assessment, we used a two-part tool for specific domains and a quality assessment tool for diagnostic accuracy studies. In this review, we incorporated eight studies. A total of 498 patients were identified across eight studies. The average sensitivity was 72.28% in seven of these studies, while the average specificity was 91.52% in the same seven studies. Our review revealed a sensitivity of 72.28% and an impressive specificity of 91.52%. This underscores the potential of LB as a valuable prognostic tool for detecting CT cells. However, the early detection of tumor cells and the prediction of tumor behavior in gliomas continue to be topics of debate, necessitating further research for more precise and reliable outcomes.

The Use of Tissue-on-Chip Technology to Focus the Search for Extracellular Vesicle miRNA Biomarkers in Thyroid Disease

Small extracellular vesicles (sEVs) contain microRNAs (miRNAs) which have potential to act as disease-specific biomarkers. The current study uses an established method to maintain human thyroid tissue ex vivo on a tissue-on-chip device, allowing the collection, isolation and interrogation of the sEVs released directly from thyroid tissue. sEVs were analysed for differences in miRNA levels released from benign thyroid tissue, Graves' disease tissue and papillary thyroid cancer (PTC), using miRNA sequencing and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) to identify potential biomarkers of disease. Thyroid biopsies from patients with benign tissue (n = 5), Graves' disease (n = 5) and PTC (n = 5) were perfused with medium containing sEV-depleted serum for 6 days on the tissue-on-chip device. During incubation, the effluents were collected and ultracentrifuged to isolate sEVs; miRNA was extracted and sequenced (miRNASeq). Out of the 15 samples, 14 passed the quality control and miRNASeq analysis detected significantly higher expression of miR-375-3p, miR-7-5p, miR-382-5p and miR-127-3p in the sEVs isolated from Graves' tissue compared to those from benign tissue (false discovery rate; FDR p < 0.05). Similarly, miR-375-3p and miR-7-5p were also detected at a higher level in the Graves' tissue sEVs compared to the PTC tissue sEVs (FDR p < 0.05). No significant differences were observed between miRNA in sEVs from PTC vs. those from benign tissue. These results were supported by Quantitative Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction (qRT-PCR). The novel findings demonstrate that the tissue-on-chip technology is a robust method for isolating sEVs directly from the tissue of interest, which has permitted the identification of four miRNAs, with which further investigation could be used as biomarkers or therapeutic targets within thyroid disease.

Mutant PIK3CA is a targetable driver alteration in histiocytic neoplasms

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH) is an inflammatory myeloid neoplasm characterized by the accumulation of clonal mononuclear phagocyte system cells expressing CD1a and CD207. In the past decade, molecular profiling of LCH as well as other histiocytic neoplasms demonstrated that these diseases are driven by MAPK activating alterations, with somatic BRAFV600E mutations in >50% of patients with LCH, and clinical inhibition of MAPK signaling has demonstrated remarkable clinical efficacy. At the same time, activating alterations in kinase-encoding genes, such as PIK3CA, ALK, RET, and CSF1R, which can activate mitogenic pathways independent from the MAPK pathway, have been reported in a subset of histiocytic neoplasms with anecdotal evidence of successful targeted treatment of histiocytoses harboring driver alterations in RET, ALK, and CSF1R. However, evidence supporting the biological consequences of expression of PIK3CA mutations in hematopoietic cells has been lacking, and whether targeted inhibition of PI3K is clinically efficacious in histiocytic neoplasms is unknown. Here, we provide evidence that activating mutations in PIK3CA can drive histiocytic neoplasms in vivo using a conditional knockin mouse expressing mutant PIK3CAH1047R in monocyte/dendritic cell progenitors. In parallel, we demonstrate successful treatment of PIK3CA-mutated, multisystemic LCH using alpelisib, an inhibitor of the alpha catalytic subunit of PI3K. Alpelisib demonstrated a tolerable safety profile at a dose of 750 mg per week and clinical and metabolic complete remission in a patient with PIK3CA-mutated LCH. These data demonstrate PIK3CA as a targetable noncanonical driver of LCH and underscore the importance of mutational analysis-based personalized treatment in histiocytic neoplasms.

miR-181b-1-3p affects the proliferation and differentiation of chondrocytes in TD broilers through the WIF1/Wnt/β-catenin pathway

Thiram is a plant fungicide, its excessive use has exceeded the required environmental standards. It causes tibial dyschondroplasia (TD) in broilers which is a common metabolic disease that affects the growth plate of tibia bone. It has been studied that many microRNAs (miRNAs) are involved in the differentiation of chondrocytes however, their specific roles and mechanisms have not been fully investigated. The selected features of tibial chondrocytes of broilers were studied in this experiment which included the expression of miR-181b-1-3p and the genes related to WIF1/Wnt/β-catenin pathway in chondrocytes through qRT-PCR, western blot and immunofluorescence. The correlation between miR-181b-1-3p and WIF1 was determined by dual luciferase reporter gene assay whereas, the role of miR-181b-1-3p and WIF1/Wnt/β-catenin in chondrocyte differentiation was determined by mimics and inhibitor transfection experiments. Results revealed that thiram exposure resulted in decreased expression of miR-181b-1-3p and increased expression of WIF1 in chondrocytes. A negative correlation was also observed between miR-181b-1-3p and WIF1. After overexpression of miR-181b-1-3p, the expression of ACAN, β-catenin and Col2a1 increased but the expression of GSK-3β decreased. It was observed that inhibition of WIF1 increased the expression of ALP, β-catenin, Col2a1 and ACAN but decreased the expression of GSK-3β. It is concluded that miR-181b-1-3p can reverse the inhibitory effect of thiram on cartilage proliferation and differentiation by inhibiting WIF1 expression and activating Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. This study provides a new molecular target for the early diagnosis and possible treatment of TD in broilers.

Expression study of microRNA cluster on chromosome 19 (C19MC) in tumor tissue and serum of breast cancer patient

BACKGROUND

Breast cancer (BC) is the most prevalent cancer among females worldwide. Numerous studies suggest that specific RNAs play a crucial role in carcinogenesis. The primate-specific microRNA gene cluster located on the 19q27.3 region of chromosome 19 (C19MC) could potentially regulate tumor cell proliferation, migration, and invasion.

OBJECTIVE

The objective of this study was to compare the expression of miRNAs from the C19MC cluster in breast cancer tumor and non-tumor samples, as well as in the serum of individuals affected by BC and healthy individuals.

METHODS

Peripheral blood was collected from 100 BC patients and 100 healthy individuals, and breast cancer samples including tumor and margin tissues were obtained. After RNA extraction, Real-time PCR was employed to investigate the expression of C19MC, specifically mir-515-1, mir-515-2, mir-516-A1, mir-516-A2, mir-516-B1, mir-516-B2, mir-517-A, mir-517-B, mir-517-C, and mir-518-A1, in the serum and tissue of BC patients and tumor margins. Statistical analyses and ROC curves were generated using GraphPad Prism software (v8.04), with a significance level set at p < 0.05.

RESULTS

Our findings demonstrate a strong correlation between high expression of all C19MC miRNAs mentioned, except for mir-517-B, mir-517-C and mir- 518 in BC. These miRNAs show potential as notable non-invasive tumor markers.

CONCLUSION

The data obtained from our study support the overall impact of C19MC miRNAs in BC detection and emphasize the potential role of several C19MC members in this process.

Dysregulated expression of miR‑367 in disease development and its prospects as a therapeutic target and diagnostic biomarker (Review)

MicroRNA (miR)-367 has a wide range of functions in gene regulation and as such plays a critical role in cell proliferation, differentiation and development, making it an essential molecule in various physiological processes. miR-367 belongs to the miR-302/367 cluster and is located in the intronic region of human chromosome 4 on the 4q25 locus. Dysregulation of miR-367 is associated with various disease conditions, including cancer, inflammation and cardiac conditions. Moreover, miR-367 has shown promise both as a tumor suppressor and a potential diagnostic biomarker for breast, gastric and prostate cancer. The elucidation of the essential role of miR-367 in inflammation, development and cardiac diseases emphasizes its versatility in regulating various physiological processes beyond cancer biology. However, further research is necessary to fully understand the complex regulatory mechanisms involving miR-367 in different physiological and pathological contexts. In conclusion, the versatility and significance of miR-367 makes it a promising candidate for further study and in the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Epigenetic Downregulation of Hsa-miR-193b-3p Increases Cyclin D1 Expression Level and Cell Proliferation in Human Meningiomas

Meningiomas are common intracranial tumors in adults. Abnormal microRNA (miRNA) expression plays a role in their pathogenesis. Change in miRNA expression level can be caused by impaired epigenetic regulation of miRNA-encoding genes. We found the genomic region covering the MIR193B gene to be DNA hypermethylated in meningiomas based on analysis of genome-wide methylation (HumanMethylation450K Illumina arrays). Hypermethylation of MIR193B was also confirmed via bisulfite pyrosequencing. Both hsa-miR-193b-3p and hsa-miR-193b-5p are downregulated in meningiomas. Lower expression of hsa-miR-193b-3p and higher MIR193B methylation was observed in World Health Organization (WHO) grade (G) II/III tumors as compared to GI meningiomas. CCND1 mRNA was identified as a target of hsa-miR-193b-3p as further validated using luciferase reporter assay in IOMM-Lee meningioma cells. IOMM-Lee cells transfected with hsa-miR-193b-3p mimic showed a decreased cyclin D1 level and lower cell viability and proliferation, confirming the suppressive nature of this miRNA. Cyclin D1 protein expression (immunoreactivity) was higher in atypical than in benign meningiomas, accordingly to observations of lower hsa-miR-193b-3p levels in GII tumors. The commonly observed hypermethylation of MIR193B in meningiomas apparently contributes to the downregulation of hsa-miR-193b-3p. Since hsa-miR-193b-3p regulates proliferation of meningioma cells through negative regulation of cyclin D1 expression, it seems to be an important tumor suppressor in meningiomas.