The Expression of MIR17HG Protein as a Potential Therapeutic Target in Meningioma

MIR17 host gene (MIR17HG) is a potential therapeutic target for some cancer types. The aim of this study was to assess MIR17HG protein levels in patients with meningioma who had not been reported previously in the literature and comparing with normal meninges tissues.

MIR17HG protein levels were measured in 46 samples including 25 meningioma tissues procured during surgery and 21 normal meninges tissues obtained within 4 hours of death during autopsy procedures. Each sample was stored at -80°C until the evaluation of MIR17HG protein using a sandwich enzyme-linked immunoassay principle. Results were compared between the groups.

MIR17HG protein levels were significantly higher in meningioma tissues compared with controls and difference was statistically significant (P = 0.012). Both World Health Organization grade I and grade II meningiomas had higher MIR17HG protein levels compared with controls and differences were statistically significant (P = 0.026 for grade I and P = 0.042 for grade II). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was performed to determine the cutoff of MIR17HG protein value in differentiating meningioma and control groups. At the cutoff value for MIR17HG protein of >0.0998 ng/mL, the sensitivity was 73.91%, 71.43%, and 77.78% and area under the curve was 0.756, 0.753, and 0.761 for meningioma group, grade I, and grade II subgroups, respectively, and specificity was 69.23% for each group.

MIR17HG protein expression was found to have a higher level in meningiomas than in normal meninges tissues in our study. Considering the recurrence and irresectability for some meningiomas, which require further treatment, MIR17HG may be a new target for treatment in meningiomas and our study will shed light on further studies.