Optimal subset of signature miRNAs consisting of 7 miRNAs that can serve as a novel diagnostic and prognostic predictor for the progression of cervical cancer

Diverse Functions of MiR-425 in Human Cancer

miRNAs are a type of small endogenous noncoding RNA composed of 20-22 nucleotides that can regulate gene expression by targeting the 3' untranslated region of mRNA. Many investigations have discovered that miRNAs have a role in the development and progression of human cancer. Several aspects of tumor development are affected by miR-425, including growth, apoptosis, invasion, migration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, and drug resistance. In this article, we discuss the properties and research development of miR-425, focusing on the regulation and function of miR-425 in various cancers. Furthermore, we discuss the clinical implications of miR-425. This review may broaden our horizon for better understanding the role of miR-425 as biomarkers and therapeutic targets in human cancer.

Potential role of micro ribonucleic acids in screening for anal cancer in human papilloma virus and human immunodeficiency virus related malignancies

Despite advances in antiretroviral treatment (ART), human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to be a major global public health issue owing to the increased mortality rates related to the prevalent oncogenic viruses among people living with HIV (PLWH). Human papillomavirus (HPV) is the most common sexually transmitted viral disease in both men and women worldwide. High-risk or oncogenic HPV types are associated with the development of HPV-related malignancies, including cervical, penile, and anal cancer, in addition to oral cancers. The incidence of anal squamous cell cancers is increasing among PLWH, necessitating the need for reliable screening methods in this population at risk. In fact, the currently used screening methods, including the Pap smear, are invasive and are neither sensitive nor specific. Investigators are interested in circulatory and tissue micro ribonucleic acids (miRNAs), as these small non-coding RNAs are ideal biomarkers for early detection and prognosis of cancer. Multiple miRNAs are deregulated during HIV and HPV infection and their deregulation contributes to the pathogenesis of disease. Here, we will review the molecular basis of HIV and HPV co-infections and focus on the pathogenesis and epidemiology of anal cancer in PLWH. The limitations of screening for anal cancer and the need for a reliable screening program that involves specific miRNAs with diagnostic and therapeutic values is also discussed.

MicroRNA Biomarkers of High-Grade Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia in Liquid Biopsy

New prevention strategies are needed to detect cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN). The microRNA expression analysis has already been reported as molecular biomarkers in the early detection of cervical cancer (CC) through minimally invasive samples, such as liquid biopsy, obtained through collection using liquid-based cytology (LBC). In this study, we aimed to identify molecular signatures of microRNAs in cervical precursor lesions from LBC cervical and the molecular pathways potentially associated with the CC progression. We analyzed 31 LBC cervical samples from women who underwent colposcopy. These samples were divided into two groups: the first group was composed of samples without precursor lesions of CC, considering the control group, referred to as healthy female subjects (HFS; n = 11). The second group corresponded to women diagnosed with cervical interepithelial neoplasia grade 3 (CIN 3; n = 20). We performed microRNA and gene expression profiling using the nCounter® miRNA Expression Assays (NanoString Technology) and PanCancer Pathways (NanoString Technology), respectively. A microRNA target prediction was performed by mirDIP, and molecular pathway interaction was constructed using Cytoscape. Bidirectional in silico analyses and Pearson's correlation were performed for associated the relation between genes, and miRNAs differentially expressed related cervical cancer progression were performed. We found that the expression of nine microRNAs was significantly higher, two were downregulated (miR-381-3p and miR-4531), and seven miRNAs were upregulated (miR-205-5p, miR-130a-3p, miR-3136-3p, miR-128-2-5p, let-7f-5p, miR-202-3p, and miR-323a-5p) in CIN 3 (fold change ≥ 2 and p ≤ 0.05). The miRNA expression patterns were independent of hr-HPV infection. We identified four miRNAs (miR-205-5p, miR-130a-3p, miR-4531, and miR-381-3p) that could be used as biomarkers for CIN 3 in LBC samples through multiple logistic regression analyses. We found 16 genes differentially expressed between CIN 3 and HSF samples (fold change ≥ 2 and p ≤ 0.05). We found the correlation between miR-130a-3p and CCND1(R = −0.52; p = 0.0029), miR-205-5p and EGFR (R = 0.53; p = 0.0021), and miR-4531 and SMAD2 (R = −0.54; p = 0.0016). In addition, we demonstrated the most significant pathways of the targets associated with cervical cancer progression (FDR-corrected p < 0.001). This study demonstrated that miRNA biomarkers may distinguish healthy cervix and CIN 3 and regulate important molecular pathways of carcinogenesis.

Understanding the Molecular Mechanism of miR-877-3p Could Provide Potential Biomarkers and Therapeutic Targets in Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Cervix

No therapeutic targets and molecular biomarkers are available in cervical cancer (CC) management. In other cancer types, micro-RNA-877-3p (miR-877-3p) has been associated with events relevant for CC development. Thus, we aimed to determine miR-877-3p role in CC. miR-877-3p levels were examined by quantitative-PCR in 117 cervical lesions and tumors. Effects on CC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion were evaluated upon anti-miR-877-3p transfection. miR-877-3p dependent molecular mechanism was comprehensively explored by proteomics, dual-luciferase reporter assay, western blot, and immunohistochemistry. Cervical tumors expressed higher miR-877-3p levels than benign lesions. miR-877-3p promoted CC cell migration and invasion, at least partly by modulating cytoskeletal protein folding through the chaperonin-containing T-complex protein 1 complex. Notably, miR-877-3p silencing synergized with paclitaxel. Interestingly, miR-877-3p downregulated the levels of an in silico-predicted target, ZNF177, whose expression and subcellular location significantly distinguished high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSILs) and squamous cell carcinomas of the cervix (SCCCs). Cytoplasmic ZNF177 was significantly associated with worse progression-free survival in SCCC. Our results suggest that: (i) miR-877-3p is a potential therapeutic target whose inhibition improves paclitaxel effects; (ii) the expression and location of its target ZNF177 could be diagnostic biomarkers between HSIL and SCCC; and (iii) cytoplasmic ZNF177 is a poor-prognosis biomarker in SCCC.

Circulating MicroRNAs as Promising Diagnostic Biomarkers for Patients With Glioma: A Meta-Analysis

Backgrounds and Purpose: Currently, circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) are considered to be non-invasive diagnostic biomarkers in a broad range of tumors. Nevertheless, so far, miRNAs have not been fully applied to the clinic for routine screening in glioma patients. Thus, our goal is to evaluate the diagnostic performance of circulating miRNAs for gliomas via a meta-analysis. The present study is registered on the PROSPERO website, with the number CRD42020195883. Methods: Literature retrieval was implemented in the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases using the established search strategy. We pooled the sensitivity, specificity, and its 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the included studies using the Stata 14.0 software. In addition, the heterogeneity between studies was assessed via the Q statistics and I ² values calculated by a Chi-square test. A bivariate random effects model was selected due to significant heterogeneity. Specifically, for exploring the factors influencing the heterogeneity, we implemented subgroup and meta-regression analyses. Ultimately, a Deek's funnel plot asymmetry test was used to estimate the potential publication bias. Results: A total of 18 articles covering 24 studies were included, containing 2,170 glioma patients and 1,456 healthy participants. The overall pooled sensitivity, specificity, positive likelihood ratio (PLR), negative likelihood ratio (NLR), diagnostic odds ratio (DOR), and area under the curve (AUC) were 0.84 (95%CI: 0.79-0.87), 0.84 (95%CI: 0.80-0.88), 5.3 (95%CI: 4.1-6.8), 0.19 (95%CI: 0.15-0.25), 27 (95%CI: 18-41), and 0.91 (95%CI: 0.88-0.93), respectively. Additionally, the findings revealed that serum miRNAs and miRNA panels presented superior diagnostic performance. Conclusion: Thus, circulating miRNAs have the potential to serve as diagnostic biomarkers for gliomas, but need to be verified via a large pool of prospective studies. Additionally, specific miRNAs still need to be elucidated in the diagnosis of a glioma, especially in the early screening stage. The findings may provide diagnostic and therapeutic strategies for the glioma population.

Comprehensive analysis of prognostic alternative splicing signature in cervical cancer

Background

Alternative splicing (AS) is a key factor in protein-coding gene diversity, and is associated with the development and progression of malignant tumours. However, the role of AS in cervical cancer is unclear.

Methods

The AS data for cervical squamous cell carcinoma and endocervical adenocarcinoma (CESC) were downloaded from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) SpliceSeq website. Few prognostic AS events were identified through univariate Cox analysis. We further identified the prognostic prediction models of the seven subtypes of AS events and assessed their predictive power. We constructed a clinical prediction model through global analysis of prognostic AS events and established a nomogram using the risk score calculated from the prognostic model and relevant clinical information. Unsupervised cluster analysis was used to explore the relationship between prognostic AS events in the model and clinical features.

Results

A total of 2860 prognostic AS events in cervical cancer were identified. The best predictive effect was shown by a single alternate acceptor subtype with an area under the curve of 0.96. Our clinical prognostic model included a nine-AS event signature, and the c-index of the predicted nomogram model was 0.764. SNRPA and CCDC12 were hub genes for prognosis-associated splicing factors. Unsupervised cluster analysis through the nine prognostic AS events revealed three clusters with different survival patterns.

Conclusions

AS events affect the prognosis and biological progression of cervical cancer. The identified prognostic AS events and splicing regulatory networks can increase our understanding of the underlying mechanisms of cervical cancer, providing new therapeutic strategies.