Prostate-derived circulating microRNAs add prognostic value to prostate cancer risk calculators

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Biomarker Discovery

Background:

• Prostate cancer is a leading cause of cancer death in men, with active surveillance being a viable option for low-risk cases.
• Accurate risk stratification is crucial but challenging using biopsy alone, necessitating improved prognostic tools.
• MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are implicated in cancer development and progression, making them potential biomarkers.

Approach:

• Small RNA sequencing was used to identify prostate-derived miRNAs in patient explants and primary cells.
• A custom miRNA PCR panel was developed and applied to serum and serum extracellular vesicles (EVs) from prostate cancer patients.
• The prognostic value of circulating miRNAs was assessed by comparing indolent versus aggressive disease outcomes.

Key Points:

• Circulating miRNAs in serum EVs showed significant differences between indolent and aggressive prostate cancer.
• These miRNAs improved the predictive accuracy of pre-biopsy clinical risk calculators (nomograms).
• miRNAs isolated from EVs demonstrated superior prognostic value compared to those in whole serum.

Conclusions:

• Quantifying specific miRNAs within serum EVs is a clinically feasible assay.
• This approach offers valuable supplementary information for prostate cancer risk stratification.
• Serum EV-derived miRNAs hold promise for enhancing the management of prostate cancer patients.