Expression of microRNAs 16, 20a, 150 and 155 in anal squamous intraepithelial lesions from high-risk groups

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Genetics

Background:

• Anal squamous intraepithelial lesions (ASIL), also known as anal intraepithelial neoplasia (AIN), are precancerous conditions.
• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in cervical carcinogenesis, but their role in anal precancerous lesions remains unassessed.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the expression of specific miRNAs (miR-16, miR-20a, miR-150, miR-155) in various grades of ASIL.
• To investigate potential correlations between miRNA expression and the progression of anal precancerous lesions.

Main Methods:

• Biopsies from 105 patients undergoing anal cancer screening were analyzed.
• Lesions were classified using the Lower Anogenital Squamous Terminology (LAST) and AIN classification.
• Quantitative analysis of miR-16, miR-20a, miR-150, and miR-155 fold expression was performed.

Main Results:

• No statistically significant differences in the fold expression of the studied miRNAs were observed between different grades of ASIL.
• A non-significant increasing trend in miR-155 fold expression was noted from negative samples to high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesions (HSIL).
• miR-155 showed the highest fold expression increase in both low-grade (LSIL) and HSIL compared to other miRNAs.

Conclusions:

• The expression levels of miR-16, miR-20a, miR-150, and miR-155 do not significantly differ across grades of ASIL.
• Further research may be warranted to explore the potential role of miR-155 in the progression of anal precancerous lesions, despite the current non-significant findings.