Identification of ncRNA Biomarkers in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer to Address Racial Disparities

Lung cancer significantly impacts mortality, with African Americans (AA) showing higher rates than White Americans (WA). ncRNAs play a crucial role in lung tumorigenesis. To identify ncRNA biomarkers associated with racial disparities in lung cancer, we used droplet digital PCR to examine 93 lung cancer–associated ncRNAs in plasma and sputum samples from participants of AA and WA backgrounds, including 118 patients and 92 cancer-free smokers. In the AA population, plasma showed differential expression of 10 ncRNAs, whereas sputum revealed four ncRNAs when comparing patients with lung cancer to the control group. In the WA population, the plasma displayed 11 ncRNAs, and the sputum had five ncRNAs showing differential expression between patients with lung cancer and the control group. For AAs, we identified a three-ncRNA panel (plasma miRs–147b, 324-3p, and 422a) for diagnosing lung cancer in AAs with 86% sensitivity and 89% specificity. For WAs, a four-ncRNA panel comprising sputum miR-34a-5p and plasma miRs–103-3p, 126-3p, and 205-5p was developed, achieving 88% sensitivity and 87% specificity. These panels remained effective across various stages and types of lung tumors and were validated in an independent cohort of 56 patients and 72 controls. Ethnicity-related ncRNA signatures hold promise as biomarkers for tackling racial disparities in patients with lung cancer.

This study identifies ethnicity-related ncRNA biomarkers that differentiate lung cancer in AAs and WAs, offering diagnostic panels with high sensitivity and specificity. These findings provide a promising approach to addressing racial disparities in lung cancer detection and improving early diagnosis across diverse populations.