Circulating Exosomal Transfer RNA-Related Fragments as Diagnostic Biomarkers for Non-small Cell Lung Cancer

Exosomal transfer RNA-derived fragments (exo-tRF) possess the capacity to be employed as biomarkers for several types of cancer. We aim to ascertain the diagnostic significance of exosomal 5'tRF-TyrGTA and 5'tRF-ValTAC in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Ultracentrifugation was deployed to obtain serum exosomes from NSCLC patients and healthy donors. The acquired exosomes were then confirmed by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), qNano, and Western blot (WB) techniques. The level of exo- tRF expression was validated by the use of microarrays and RT-qPCR. The diagnostic performance of exo-tRFs for NSCLC was determined through the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC).

Exosomal 5'tRF-TyrGTA and 5'tRF-ValTAC were significantly downregulated in both early- and late-stage NSCLC patients compared to healthy donors, representing favorable diagnostic efficiency for NSCLC. In addition, the exosomal 5'tRF-TyrGTA level was correlated with tumor stage and lymph node metastasis.

Exosomal 5'tRF-TyrGTA and 5'tRF-ValTAC can serve as potential biomarkers for NSCLC.