Reduced circulating microRNA-203 predicts poor prognosis for glioblastoma.

BACKGROUND

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to play an important role in the development and progression of various types of cancer including glioblastoma (GBM).

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern and prognostic significance of serum miR-203 in patients with GBM.

METHODS

miR-203 extracted from cell culture medium and serum samples was detected by real-time PCR. The correlation between serum miR-203 expression as well as clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival was determined.

RESULTS

The expression level of miR-203 was remarkably reduced in the GBM cells and their culture medium. Serum miR-203 expression was significantly decreased in GBM patients compared with low grade glioma (LGG) patients and healthy controls. In addition, serum miR-203 discriminated GBM patients from LGG patients and healthy subjects. Chi-squared analysis showed that a significant correlation was found between low serum miR-203 expression and larger tumor size as well as lower Karnofsky Performance Scale scores. Patients with lower serum miR-203 suffered poorer overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). Multivariate analysis indicated that low miR-203 expression is an independent prognostic factor for poor OS in GBM patients.

CONCLUSIONS

These data demonstrate that serum miR-203 expression might serve as a potential prognostic indicator of GBM.