Decreased microRNA-22 is associated with poor prognosis in cervical cancer

Cervical cancer is one of the most lethal gynecological malignancy. Aberrant expression of microRNAs (miRNAs) is associated with carcinogenesis of cervical cancer. The aim of current study was to elucidate the clinical significance of miR-22 in patients with cervical cancer. The expression levels of miR-22 in cervical intraepithelial neoplasia (CIN) and cervical cancer tissues as well as cervical cancer cell lines were quantified using real-time PCR. Then the potential prognostic value of the miR-22 was assessed. Our results showed that the expression level of miR-22 was significantly lower in cervical cancer tissues and cell lines. miR-22 levels were inversely correlated clinical stage both in CIN and cervical cancer. In addition, low expression of miR-22 was significantly associated with larger tumor size, presence of lymph node metastasis, and advanced tumor stage. Moreover, the patients expressing low levels of miR-22 had poorer five year overall survival and disease free survival. Multivariate analysis identified miR-22 as an independent prognostic factor for cervical cancer patients' overall survival. Taken together, we demonstrate that the miR-22 may serve as a novel therapeutic target and prognostic marker in patients with cervical cancer.