Circulating serum miRNAs predict response to platinum chemotherapy in high-grade serous ovarian cancer

Platinum chemotherapy is the cornerstone of treatment for high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC); however, validated biomarkers that can accurately predict platinum response are lacking. Based on their roles in the underlying pathophysiology, circulating microRNAs are potential, noninvasive biomarkers in cancer. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the circulating miRNA profiles of patients with HGSOC and to assess their potential utility as biomarkers to predict platinum response.

Pretreatment serum samples collected from patients who received platinum chemotherapy for Stage III-IV HGSOC between 2008 and 2016 were analyzed using miRNA microarray. LASSO logistic regression analysis was used to construct predictive models for treatment-free interval of platinum (TFIp).

The median follow-up was 54.6 (range, 3.5-144.1) months. The comprehensive analysis of 2588 miRNAs was performed in serum samples of 153 eligible patients, and predictive models were constructed using a combination of circulating miRNAs with an area under the receiver operating characteristic curve of 0.944 for TFIp >1 month, 0.637 for TFIp ≥6 months, 0.705 for TFIp ≥12 months, and 0.938 for TFIp ≥36 months. Each predictive model provided a significant TFIp classification (p = 0.001 in TFIp >1 month, p = 0.013 in TFIp ≥6 months, p < 0.001 in TFIp ≥12 months, and p < 0.001 in TFIp ≥36 months).

Circulating miRNA profiles has potential utility in predicting platinum response in patients with HGSOC and can aid clinicians in choosing appropriate treatment strategies.