MicroRNA-126 selected with broad-spectrum analysis of microRNAs - a new predictive factor for the effectiveness of...

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Immunotherapy

Background:

• PD-L1 expression is a validated predictive factor for immunotherapy in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC).
• Predicting resistance to immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) remains challenging.
• MicroRNAs are emerging as potential biomarkers in cancer diagnostics.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate microRNAs as sensitive predictive factors for NSCLC patient response to first-line immunotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy.
• To evaluate the potential of specific microRNAs in predicting treatment effectiveness.

Main Methods:

• A two-stage study involving 55 advanced NSCLC patients (validation n=20, study n=35).
• Plasma microRNA expression analyzed using quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR) before treatment.
• Broad-spectrum microRNA analysis in the study group, with three selected microRNAs validated in the validation group.

Main Results:

• Higher expression of miR-126-3p, miR-144-3p, and miR-146-5p correlated with longer progression-free survival (PFS) in the study group.
• Low miR-126 expression in the validation group was associated with significantly lower median PFS (2.3 vs. 5.0 months) and overall survival (5.2 vs. 11.2 months).
• Patients with low miR-126 had a higher risk of progression (HR=2.92) and death (HR=3.64).

Conclusions:

• Plasma miR-126 expression may serve as a predictive biomarker for the efficacy of first-line immunotherapy or chemoimmunotherapy in advanced NSCLC.
• miR-126 could aid in qualifying NSCLC patients for specific immunotherapeutic strategies.
• This finding highlights the potential of microRNAs in personalized cancer treatment.