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Updated: Apr 10, 2026
Analysis of Combinatorial miRNA Treatments to Regulate Cell Cycle and Angiogenesis
Published on: March 30, 2019
A MicroRNA Expression Signature In Taxane-anthracycline-Based Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy Response
Yi Zheng1, Shuai Li1, Rebecca J Boohaker2
11. Department of Breast Cancer Pathology and Research Laboratory, Tianjin Medical University Cancer Institute and Hospital, National Clinical Research Center of Cancer, Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin Medical University, Ministry of Education; Key Laboratory of Cancer Prevention and Therapy, Tianjin; State Key Laboratory of Breast Cancer Research, Hexi District, Tianjin, 300060, China.
Abstract:
There is an unmet clinical need to identify biomarkers for breast cancer neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Here, using miRNA TaqMan Low-Density Arrays (TLDA), we analyzed the miRNA expression profile in pre-treatment needle aspiration tumor samples from patients who received taxane-anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy. Although, in an unsupervised hierarchical cluster analysis, the total miRNA expression profile could not generate a tree with clear distinction between pathologic complete response (pCR) and non-pCR classes, we found that elevated expression of miR-125b and miR-141 was associated with non-pCR. In vitro experiments indicated that inhibition of miR-125b and miR-141 expression reduced cellular survival in response to taxane-anthracycline treatment. Furthermore, co-transfection with miR-125b and miR-141 mimics increased resistance of MCF7 and BT549 cells to taxane-anthracycline induced cytotoxicity. Pathway analyses indicated that many of the target proteins of miR-125b are involved in apoptotic pathways and cell cycle control. Together, we provide evidence that elevated miR-125b and 141 expression predicts a poor clinical responsiveness of taxane-anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
Insights
Biomarkers for breast cancer neoadjuvant chemotherapy are needed. Elevated miR-125b and miR-141 expression predicts poor response to taxane-anthracycline chemotherapy, indicating potential therapeutic targets.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Neoadjuvant chemotherapy is a critical treatment for breast cancer.
- Identifying predictive biomarkers for treatment response remains a significant clinical challenge.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles as potential biomarkers for predicting response to taxane-anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in breast cancer patients.
Main Methods:
- Analyzed miRNA expression in pre-treatment tumor samples using miRNA TaqMan Low-Density Arrays (TLDA).
- Correlated miRNA expression with pathologic complete response (pCR) and non-pCR.
- Performed in vitro experiments to assess the functional role of miR-125b and miR-141 in chemotherapy response.
Main Results:
- No clear distinction in total miRNA profiles between pCR and non-pCR groups.
- Elevated miR-125b and miR-141 expression were associated with non-pCR.
- Inhibition of miR-125b/miR-141 reduced cancer cell survival; mimics increased chemoresistance.
- Pathway analysis implicated miR-125b targets in apoptosis and cell cycle regulation.
Conclusions:
- Elevated miR-125b and miR-141 expression may predict poor response to taxane-anthracycline neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
- These miRNAs represent potential therapeutic targets for overcoming chemotherapy resistance in breast cancer.
