Dynamic Changes in Circulating MicroRNA Levels in Liver Cancer Patients Undergoing Thermal Ablation and Transarterial...

Area of Science:

• Interventional Radiology
• Oncology
• Molecular Biology

Background:

• Patients with unresectable hepatic cancer often receive transarterial chemoembolization (TACE) or thermal ablative (TA) therapy.
• These interventions induce liver tissue changes, including inflammation and hypoxia, leading to systemic cytokine and microRNA (miRNA) secretion.
• Investigating circulating miRNAs related to hypoxia, liver injury, and epithelial-mesenchymal transition can assess the systemic effects of TACE and TA.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate if circulating levels of specific miRNAs (miR-21, miR-210, miR-122, miR-200a) can reflect the systemic response to TACE and TA therapies.
• To correlate miRNA level changes with the biological effects of these liver cancer interventions.

Main Methods:

• The study included 10 hepatocellular carcinoma patients treated with TACE and 10 liver metastases patients treated with TA.
• Blood plasma miRNA concentrations were measured using quantitative real-time PCR at four time points: pre-intervention, immediately post-intervention, 24 hours post-intervention, and 1 week post-intervention.
• Tumor response was assessed using RECIST and mRECIST criteria and volumetry.

Main Results:

• Both TACE and TA interventions altered circulating miRNA levels.
• TA treatment led to an immediate increase in miR-122 and miR-200a.
• TACE treatment showed an increase in miR-21, miR-210, miR-122, and miR-200a at 24 hours post-intervention, with levels returning to baseline thereafter.
• Observed miRNA changes correlated with the expected biological impact of TA and TACE on tumor tissue.

Conclusions:

• Circulating miRNAs show potential as biomarkers for monitoring systemic effects of TA and TACE.
• This pilot study highlights the utility of specific miRNAs in assessing patient response to interventional oncology treatments.
• Further research is warranted to validate these findings in larger patient cohorts.