Prognostic Role of Oncogenic and Tumor-Suppressing miRNA Types in Egyptian Uterine Cancer Patients.

OBJECTIVE

Uterine or endometrial cancer affects many women postmenopausal and may reach an advanced stage before signs and symptoms can be noticed. Micro RNAs (miRNAs), non-coding RNAs, play key roles in gene expression regulation and are linked to cancer. This study aimed to elucidate whether some specific types of miRNAs (miRNA133-a, miRNA-21, miRNA-205) can act as prognostic or diagnostic biomarkers for endometrial carcinoma (ER) in Egyptian patients.

METHODS

Blood samples from 36 patients suffering from endometrial carcinoma and 15 healthy volunteers were tested for expression levels of miRNA 133a-2, 21 and 205.

RESULTS

The expression levels of miRNA133a-2, miRNA-21, and miRNA-205 were significantly elevated in ER patients when compared with the control group, the highest levels were noticed in miRNA133a-2. The CA125 levels were significantly higher in all patients as compared with healthy subjects.

CONCLUSION

The findings could support the use of circulating miR133a-2, miR-21 and miR-205 as virtuous prognostic biomarkers for EC in Egyptian patients. The studied miRNA species warrant validation for prospective targeting inhibitory protocols in EC.