miRNA-574-3p inhibits metastasis and chemoresistance of epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) by negatively regulating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).

BACKGROUND

This current study explored the role of miRNA-574-3p and the related molecular mechanisms in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC).

METHODS

Tissues of ovarian cancer patients were applied to explore the correlation between miRNA-574-3p and EOC. The role of miRNA-574-3p in migration, invasion and chemoresistance of EOC cells was evaluated by overexpression and suppression of miRNA-574-3p in SKOV3 and CAOV3 cells. For the sake of exploring how miRNA-574-3p regulated tumor migration, invasion and chemoresistance of EOC cells, we detected several related molecular expressions and activities of signaling pathways.

RESULTS

Overexpression of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) was correlated with downregulation of miR-574-3p in EOC tissues. Overexpression of miRNA-574-3p in EOC cells led to inhibition of cell migration as well as invasion, and it significantly promoted the sensitivities of EOC cells to paclitaxel and cisplatin. Molecular experiments showed miR-574-3p inhibited activation of AKT, FAK and c-Src, as well as MMP-9 expression via targeting EGFR.

CONCLUSION

Taken together, these data demonstrated that miRNA-574-3p inhibits both tumor metastasis and chemoresistance in EOC via targeting EGFR. Thus, targeting miRNA-574-3p may become a potential molecular method for EOC.