De Gregorio Alex, Sacconi Andrea, Mandoj Chiara, Valenti Fabio, De Pascale Valentina, Madonna Gabriele, Capone Mariaelena, Meinardi Teresa, Guerresi Francesca, Terrenato Irene, Cigliana Giovanni, Russillo Michelangelo, Ferraresi Virginia, Fanciulli Maurizio, Blandino Giovanni, Ascierto Paolo Antonio, Ciliberto Gennaro, Mancini Rita, Fattore Luigi
SAFU Laboratory, Department of Research, Advanced Diagnostics and Technological Innovation, Translational Research Area, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy.
UOSD Clinical Trial Center, Biostatistics and Bioinformatics, IRCCS Regina Elena National Cancer Institute, 00144, Rome, Italy.
J Transl Med. 2025 Aug 13;23(1):904. doi: 10.1186/s12967-025-06941-1.
BACKGROUND: Circulating miRNAs (cmiRNAs) are emerging as valuable non-invasive biomarkers for monitoring disease progression and therapeutic response in cancer. Their stability in biological fluids, tissue-specific expression, and functional roles in tumor biology make them particularly suitable for liquid biopsy approaches. However, challenges related to quantification accuracy and assay standardization have limited their clinical translation. Digital PCR (dPCR) offers a highly sensitive and reproducible solution for absolute quantification of low-abundance transcripts, addressing many of these limitations. METHODS: We developed and analytically validated the first duplex dPCR assay for the simultaneous detection of miR-4488 and miR-579-3p in serum samples from patients with BRAF-mutant metastatic melanoma receiving MAPK inhibitor therapy. These two cmiRNAs were previously identified by our group as biomarkers predictive of treatment response. Using fluorescently labelled probes, both targets were co-amplified in a single reaction. The assay was tested for analytical performance, including comparison with singleplex formats and quantitative Real-Time PCR (qRT-PCR). We then applied the duplex assay to assess the prognostic potential of the expression ratio between the two miRNAs, termed miRatio, at baseline and over treatment timepoints. RESULTS: The duplex assay maintained analytical performance comparable to singleplex reactions while reducing sample and reagent use. Compared to qRT-PCR, dPCR showed superior sensitivity, particularly for detecting low-abundance miRNAs like miR-4488. miRatio effectively predicts disease outcome when measured at baseline prior to MAPKi therapy and exhibits dynamic changes during treatment, supporting its potential as a longitudinal biomarker. ROC analysis demonstrated strong prognostic value, with improved accuracy over previous qRT-PCR-based evaluations. CONCLUSIONS: This study highlights duplex dPCR as a robust, sensitive, and scalable technology for circulating miRNA quantification in liquid biopsy applications. By enabling absolute and simultaneous detection of miR-4488 and miR-579-3p, the assay provides a technically advanced platform for real-time monitoring in metastatic melanoma. While miRatio remains a promising biomarker, the key innovation of this work is the development of a duplex assay suitable for clinical implementation in precision oncology.
背景:循环微小RNA(cmiRNAs)正逐渐成为用于监测癌症疾病进展和治疗反应的有价值的非侵入性生物标志物。它们在生物体液中的稳定性、组织特异性表达以及在肿瘤生物学中的功能作用使其特别适用于液体活检方法。然而,与定量准确性和检测标准化相关的挑战限制了它们的临床转化。数字PCR(dPCR)为低丰度转录本的绝对定量提供了一种高度灵敏且可重复的解决方案,解决了许多这些限制。 方法:我们开发并通过分析验证了首个用于同时检测接受MAPK抑制剂治疗的BRAF突变转移性黑色素瘤患者血清样本中miR-4488和miR-579-3p的双重dPCR检测方法。这两种cmiRNAs先前被我们的研究小组鉴定为预测治疗反应的生物标志物。使用荧光标记探针,两个靶标在单个反应中共同扩增。对该检测方法进行了分析性能测试,包括与单重形式和定量实时PCR(qRT-PCR)的比较。然后我们应用双重检测方法来评估这两种miRNA之间的表达比率(称为miRatio)在基线和治疗时间点的预后潜力。 结果:双重检测方法保持了与单重反应相当的分析性能,同时减少了样本和试剂的使用。与qRT-PCR相比,dPCR显示出更高的灵敏度,特别是对于检测低丰度miRNA如miR-4488。在MAPKi治疗前的基线测量时,miRatio能有效预测疾病结局,并且在治疗期间呈现动态变化,支持其作为纵向生物标志物的潜力。ROC分析显示出强大的预后价值,与先前基于qRT-PCR的评估相比,准确性有所提高。 结论:本研究强调双重dPCR是一种用于液体活检应用中循环miRNA定量的强大、灵敏且可扩展的技术。通过能够绝对且同时检测miR-4488和miR-579-3p,该检测方法为转移性黑色素瘤的实时监测提供了一个技术先进的平台。虽然miRatio仍然是一个有前景的生物标志物,但这项工作的关键创新在于开发了一种适用于精准肿瘤学临床应用的双重检测方法。
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