Circulating miRNA 20a, miRNA 140-5p and VEGF as Predictive Biomarkers of Metastasis in Liquid Biopsy of Breast Cancer Patients

AbdelHamid, Sherihan G.; AbdelAziz, Hany M.; Kamal, Amany M.

doi:10.21608/aps.2021.96822.1070

	Circulating miRNA 20a, miRNA 140-5p and VEGF as Predictive Biomarkers of Metastasis in Liquid Biopsy of Breast Cancer Patients
Archives of Pharmaceutical Sciences Ain Shams University
Article 5, Volume 5, Issue 2, December 2021, Page 249-264 PDF (751.93 K)
Document Type: Original Article
DOI: 10.21608/aps.2021.96822.1070
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Authors
Sherihan G. AbdelHamid ¹; Hany M. AbdelAziz²; Amany M. Kamal¹
¹Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Pharmacy, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11566, Egypt
²Department of Clinical Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Ain Shams University, Cairo 11591, Egypt
Abstract
Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are critical modulators in breast carcinogenesis. Metastasis remains the underlying cause of breast cancer related mortality. We sought to elucidate the predictive potential of circulating miR-20a and miR-140-5p as non-invasive liquid biopsy biomarkers. Subjects and methods: The study comprised 50 breast cancer patients (25 primary non-metastatic and 25 metastatic patients), and 15 healthy controls. The expression of miR-20a, miR-140-5p was measured using qRT-PCR. Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) was determined by ELISA. The predictive value of studied markers was evaluated by Receiver-operating characteristics (ROC) curve analysis. Results: MiR-20a was significantly upregulated, miR-140-5p downregulated, together with elevated serum VEGF levels in all breast cancer patients compared to controls and in the metastatic compared to non-metastatic group (p < 0.001 for each). MiR-20a, miR-140-5p and VEGF exhibited significant predictive value for metastasis (AUC of 1 in all), with high specificity and sensitivity. MiR-20a and miR-140-5p expression was associated with lymph node involvement (p < 0.05) and correlated with VEGF levels (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Our findings suggest that circulating miR-20a and miR-140-5p are promising non-invasive predictive biomarkers to discriminate between metastatic and locally-confined breast cancer. They may also hold a promise as targets for miRNA-based treatments.
Keywords
miR-20a; miR-140-5p; VEGF; breast cancer; liquid biopsy


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