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Author Spotlight: Unlocking the Mysteries of Oral Potential Malignancies
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Author Spotlight: Unlocking the Mysteries of Oral Potential Malignancies

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MicroRNA-31 upregulation predicts increased risk of progression of oral potentially malignant disorder

Kai-Feng Hung1, Chung-Ji Liu2, Peng-Chih Chiu3

  • 1Department of Dentistry, School of Dentistry, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan.

Oral Oncology
|December 18, 2015
PubMed
Abstract

Insights

Salivary miR-21 and miR-31 can screen for oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD). Increased miR-31 expression and epithelial dysplasia together predict OPMD recurrence or malignant transformation.

Area of Science:

  • Biochemistry
  • Oncology
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • MicroRNAs (miRNAs) show diagnostic and prognostic potential in oral cancer.
  • The role of miRNAs in oral potentially malignant disorders (OPMD) requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To assess if miR-21 and miR-31 are prognostic factors for OPMD progression.
  • To evaluate the utility of salivary miR-21 and miR-31 as screening tools for OPMD.

Main Methods:

  • Quantitative reverse transcription PCR and in situ hybridization analyzed miR-21 and miR-31 in saliva and tissue samples from OPMD patients.
  • Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and Cox-proportional hazard models assessed the correlation between miRNA levels and OPMD progression.

Main Results:

  • Salivary miR-21 and miR-31 expression were significantly increased in OPMD patients compared to controls.
  • Elevated miR-31 expression in the epithelium correlated with OPMD recurrence and malignant transformation.
  • Increased miR-31 expression and epithelial dysplasia were independent risk factors for OPMD progression.

Conclusions:

  • Salivary miR-21 and miR-31 are effective OPMD screening tools.
  • Epithelial dysplasia and miR-31 upregulation synergistically predict OPMD recurrence and/or malignant transformation.
  • miR-31 detection serves as an adjuvant method for screening high-risk OPMD.
Keywords:
CarcinogenesisMalignantMarkerMicroRNAOPMDSalivamiR-31

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