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Updated: May 25, 2026
miRNA Expression Analyses in Prostate Cancer Clinical Tissues
Published on: September 8, 2015
Dysregulation of circulating microRNAs and prediction of aggressive prostate cancer
Jing Shen1, Gregory W Hruby, James M McKiernan
1Department of Environmental Health Sciences, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, New York, USA. js2182@columbia.edu
Background:
It is becoming increasingly evident that microRNAs (miRNAs) are associated with the development and progression of prostate cancer (PCa).
Methods:
We examined the hypothesis that plasma miRNA levels can differentiate patients by aggressiveness in 82 PCa patients. Taqman based quantitative RT-PCR assays were performed to measure copy number of target miRNAs.
Results:
miR-20a was significantly overexpressed in plasma from patients with stage 3 tumors compared to stage 2 or below (P = 0.03). The expression levels for miR-20a and miR-21 were significantly increased in patients with high risk CAPRA scores (16,623 and 1,595 copies, respectively). Significantly increased miR-21 and miR-145 expression were observed for patients with intermediate or high risk D'Amico scores compared to patients with low risk scores (P = 0.047 and 0.011, respectively). The relapse rates for CAPRA scores ranged from 1.9% for low risk to 9.5% for intermediate risk and to 22.2% for high risk patients (P = 0.023). For D'Amico scores, the relapse rates ranged from 0.0% for low risk to 7.4% for intermediate risk and 17.6% for high risk patients (P = 0.039). Expression of miR-21 and miR-221 significantly differentiated patients with intermediate risk from those with low risk CAPRA scores (AUC = 0.801, P = 0.002). Four miRNAs (miR-20a, miR-21, miR-145, and miR-221) could also distinguish high versus low risk in PCa patients by D'Amico score with an AUC of 0.824.
Conclusions:
These preliminary data suggest that altered plasma miRNAs may be useful predictors to distinguish PCa patients with varied aggressiveness. Further larger studies to validate this promising finding are warranted.
Insights
Plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) show promise in differentiating prostate cancer (PCa) aggressiveness. Specific miRNA levels correlate with tumor stage and risk scores, aiding in predicting patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Biomarkers
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are increasingly recognized for their role in prostate cancer (PCa) development and progression.
- Altered miRNA expression is a hallmark of various cancers, including PCa.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the potential of plasma miRNA levels as biomarkers for differentiating prostate cancer (PCa) patient aggressiveness.
- To correlate specific miRNA expression profiles with established clinical risk stratification systems.
Main Methods:
- Quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was employed to measure plasma miRNA copy numbers in 82 PCa patients.
- Taqman-based assays were utilized for precise quantification of target miRNAs.
Main Results:
- Overexpression of miR-20a was observed in patients with stage 3 tumors compared to lower stages (P=0.03).
- Elevated levels of miR-20a and miR-21 correlated with high CAPRA risk scores, while miR-21 and miR-145 increased with intermediate/high D'Amico risk scores.
- Specific miRNAs (miR-21, miR-221) differentiated intermediate from low-risk CAPRA patients (AUC=0.801), and a panel of four miRNAs (miR-20a, miR-21, miR-145, miR-221) distinguished high-risk from low-risk PCa patients by D'Amico score (AUC=0.824).
Conclusions:
- Preliminary findings suggest that plasma miRNAs can serve as valuable predictors for distinguishing PCa patients with varying degrees of aggressiveness.
- Further large-scale studies are necessary to validate these promising results and their clinical utility.
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