Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 3, 2025
Clinicopathological Analysis of miRNA Expression in Breast Cancer Tissues by Using miRNA In Situ Hybridization
Published on: June 7, 2016
The Diagnostic Value of microRNA Expression Analysis in Detecting Intraductal Papillomas in Patients with
Seher Makineli1,2, Menno R Vriens1, Arjen J Witkamp1
1Department of Surgical Oncology, University Medical Center Utrecht, 3584 CX Utrecht, The Netherlands.
Abstract:
Patients with pathological nipple discharge (PND) often undergo local surgical procedures because standard radiologic imaging fails to identify the underlying cause. MicroRNA (MiRNA) expression analysis of nipple fluid holds potential for distinguishing between breast diseases. This study aimed to compare miRNA expression levels between nipple fluids from patients with PND to identify possible relevant miRNAs that could differentiate between intraductal papillomas and no abnormalities in the breast tissue. Nipple fluid samples from patients with PND without radiological and pathological suspicion for malignancy who underwent a ductoscopy procedure were analyzed. We used univariate and multivariate regression analyses to identify nipple fluid miRNAs differing between pathologically confirmed papillomas and breast tissue without abnormalities. A total of 27 nipple fluid samples from patients with PND were included for miRNA expression analysis. Out of the 22 miRNAs examined, only miR-145-5p was significantly differentially expressed (upregulated) in nipple fluid from patients with an intraductal papilloma compared to patients showing no breast abnormalities (OR 4.76, p = 0.046), with a diagnostic accuracy of 92%. miR-145-5p expression in nipple fluid differs for intraductal papillomas and breast tissue without abnormalities and, therefore, has potential as a diagnostic marker to signal presence of papillomas in PND patients. However, further refinement and validation in clinical trials are necessary to establish its clinical applicability.
Insights
MicroRNA (miRNA) analysis of nipple fluid can help distinguish breast conditions. miR-145-5p in nipple discharge may serve as a diagnostic marker for intraductal papillomas, improving pathological nipple discharge diagnosis.
Area of Science:
- Biochemistry
- Molecular Biology
- Oncology
Background:
- Pathological nipple discharge (PND) diagnosis is challenging due to limitations in standard imaging.
- Nipple fluid microRNA (miRNA) profiling offers a potential non-invasive method for breast disease differentiation.
- Identifying specific biomarkers is crucial for differentiating benign conditions like intraductal papillomas from normal breast tissue.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare miRNA expression in nipple fluid from patients with PND.
- To identify specific miRNAs that can differentiate intraductal papillomas from normal breast tissue.
- To evaluate the diagnostic potential of identified miRNAs for PND.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of nipple fluid samples from 27 PND patients undergoing ductoscopy.
- MicroRNA expression profiling of 22 specific miRNAs.
- Univariate and multivariate regression analyses to identify differentially expressed miRNAs.
Main Results:
- miR-145-5p was significantly upregulated in nipple fluid of patients with intraductal papillomas compared to those with normal breast tissue (OR 4.76, p=0.046).
- The diagnostic accuracy of miR-145-5p for differentiating papillomas was 92%.
- No other examined miRNAs showed significant differential expression.
Conclusions:
- Nipple fluid miR-145-5p expression levels differ between intraductal papillomas and normal breast tissue.
- miR-145-5p shows potential as a non-invasive diagnostic biomarker for intraductal papillomas in PND patients.
- Further clinical validation is required to establish the clinical utility of miR-145-5p.
