MicroRNA-21 Emerges as Key Prognostic Indicator After Breast Cancer Surgery

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Molecular Biology
• Biomarker Research

Background:

• MicroRNA-21 (miR-21) is an oncogenic microRNA linked to breast cancer progression and metastasis.
• Its long-term prognostic value in mastectomy patients requires further clarification.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the prognostic significance of miR-21 expression in predicting overall survival (OS) and disease-free survival (DFS) in breast cancer patients undergoing mastectomy.
• To determine if miR-21 can serve as a long-term prognostic biomarker.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective analysis of 426 breast cancer patients who underwent mastectomy (2010-2017).
• Tumor miR-21 expression measured by quantitative real-time PCR, categorized as high/low.
• Long-term outcomes assessed over a median 112-month follow-up using Kaplan-Meier curves and Cox models.

Main Results:

• High miR-21 expression (48.8% of cases) was associated with significantly poorer 10-year OS (61.4% vs. 82.7%) and DFS (54.9% vs. 78.3%).
• Multivariable analysis confirmed high miR-21 as an independent predictor of decreased OS (HR=2.18) and DFS (HR=2.44).

Conclusions:

• Elevated miR-21 expression is a significant, independent biomarker for adverse long-term prognosis in breast cancer patients post-mastectomy.
• Incorporating miR-21 into postoperative risk assessment could enhance individualized patient management.