BACKGROUND

Circulating long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) are emerging as promising biomarkers for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). This study aimed to detect serum exosomal lncRNA SNHG15 expression in NSCLC and evaluate its potential clinical value.

METHODS

A total of 238 serum samples were collected from 118 patients with NSCLC, 40 patients with benign pulmonary lesions and 80 healthy volunteers. The expression levels of serum exosomal lncRNA SNHG15 were measured by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Then, the relationship between serum exosomal lncRNA SNHG15 expression and clinical parameters was analyzed.

RESULTS

The serum exosomal lncRNA SNHG15 expression was markedly higher in NSCLC patients compared to patients with benign pulmonary lesions and normal controls. As expected, serum exosomal lncRNA SNHG15 was greatly decreased after surgery. High serum exosomal lncRNA SNHG15 expression was closely associated with poor differentiation (p=0.035), positive lymph node metastasis (p=0.009) and advanced TNM stage (p<0.001). Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis demonstrated that serum exosomal lncRNA SNHG15 well differentiated all stage NSCLC, stage I/II NSCLC patients or stage III/IV NSCLC patients from controls, and the combination of serum exosomal lncRNA SNHG15 and CEA showed an elevated AUC for distinguishing NSCLC from healthy individuals. In univariate and multivariate analyses, serum exosomal lncRNA SNHG15 was confirmed as an independent prognostic predictor for overall survival.

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, our findings suggest that serum exosomal lncRNA SNHG15 might be a potential biomarker for early diagnosis and prognosis prediction of NSCLC.