Related Experiment Video
Updated: Apr 15, 2026
MicroRNA Based Liquid Biopsy: The Experience of the Plasma miRNA Signature Classifier MSC for Lung Cancer Screening
Published on: October 26, 2017
Non-small cell lung cancer detection using microRNA expression profiling of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and sputum
Julian O Kim1, Sayf Gazala2, Rene Razzak2
1Department of Oncology, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada Division of Radiation Oncology, Department of Radiology, University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada Cross Cancer Institute, Edmonton, Alberta, Canada CancerCare, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada.
Aim:
To assess if miRNA expression profiling of bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and sputum could be used to detect early-stage non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).
Materials And Methods:
Hierarchical cluster analysis was performed on the expression levels of 5 miRNAs (miR-21, miR-143, miR-155, miR-210, and miR-372) which were quantified using RNA reverse transcription and quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in sputum and BAL samples from NSCLC cases and cancer-free controls.
Results:
Cluster analysis of the miRNA expression levels in BAL samples from 21 NSCLC cases and sputum samples from 10 cancer-free controls yielded a diagnostic sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 100%. Cluster analysis of sputum samples from the same patients yielded a diagnostic sensitivity of 67.8% and specificity of 90%.
Conclusion:
miRNA expression profiling of sputum and BAL fluids represent a potential means to detect early-stage NSCLC.
