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Updated: Jun 30, 2026
Exosomal miRNA Analysis in Non-small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC) Patients' Plasma Through qPCR: A Feasible Liquid Biopsy Tool
Published on: May 27, 2016
LDCT combined with serum miR-4638-3p expression enhances NSCLC diagnostic efficacy and rs6601178 polymorphism
Zeyu Meng1, Ting Xue1, Bo Jiang2
1Department of Medical Imaging, People's Hospital of Anshun City Guizhou Province, No. 140, Huangguoshu Street, Xixiu District, Anshun, 561000, China.
Background:
Despite reducing lung cancer mortality, low-dose computed tomography (LDCT) is limited by a high false positive rate. This study integrates serum miR-4638-3p with LDCT to assess its diagnostic value in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), explore miR-4638-3p's mechanisms, and analyze the rs6601178 polymorphism's association with NSCLC susceptibility.
Methods:
Participants comprised 152 healthy controls (HC), 152 patients with benign lung disease (BLD), and 152 NSCLC patients. Serum miR-4638-3p and PTEN levels were measured by RT-qPCR; LDCT scans were performed and interpreted according to established clinical protocols; rs6601178 genotyping was performed using PCR-RFLP. Statistical analyses included logistic regression, ROC analysis, and AUC comparisons. Cell function was detected using CCK-8 and Transwell methods, and the mechanism was explored using PPI analysis and dual-luciferase reporter experiments.
Results:
miR-4638-3p expression was significantly elevated in NSCLC compared to BLD and HC groups and emerged as a robust independent predictor for distinguishing BLD from NSCLC. LDCT alone demonstrated moderate diagnostic performance, while miR-4638-3p alone exhibited higher accuracy. Combining both modalities significantly enhanced diagnostic efficacy. The rs6601178 A allele frequency was reduced in NSCLC relative to HC. The AA genotype was associated with decreased risks of poor tumor differentiation, lymph node metastasis, and advanced-stage disease (III/IV). Knockdown of miR-4638-3p inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of NSCLC and validated PTEN as its direct target gene.
Conclusion:
Serum miR-4638-3p serves as a potent diagnostic biomarker for NSCLC. Its integration with LDCT significantly improves diagnostic accuracy, potentially decreasing unnecessary invasive interventions. The rs6601178 A allele confers protection against both NSCLC development and progression. Mechanistically, knockdown of miR-4638-3p inhibits tumour cell biological functions and may act by targeting PTEN.
