miRNA-mediated metabolic reprogramming is associated with recurrence in ovarian cancer

Ovarian cancer (OC) recurrence and therapy resistance remain major clinical challenges. Identifying the molecular adaptations associated with relapse is essential for improving disease monitoring.

We performed miRNA expression profiling on tissue and serum samples obtained from different primary ovarian cancer (POC) (n = 8) and recurrent ovarian cancer (ROC) cases (n = 8). Following statistical filtering, target prediction and functional pathway enrichment analyses were conducted. Clinical prognostic associations of target genes were explored using the Kaplan-Meier Plotter database.

A candidate recurrence-associated signature was identified, comprising hsa-miR-3656 (tissue, Fold Change >1.8), hsa-miR-4701-5p, and hsa-miR-6775-3p (serum, Fold Change >2.0), all significantly upregulated in ROC. Computational target analysis identified 375 miRNA-mRNA interactions primarily enriched in sphingolipid and purine metabolism pathways. Evaluation of the target genes indicated that altered expression of DEGS1, NPR1, and ALDH1B1 is correlated with poorer progression-free survival.

OC recurrence is associated with a distinct miRNA profile linked to metabolic reprogramming. Although functional validation is required, circulating hsa-miR-4701-5p and hsa-miR-6775-3p represent candidate liquid biopsy biomarkers requiring prospective validation for recurrence monitoring.