MicroRNAs: Expressionsanalysen verbessern das Staging bei Patienten mit lokal fortgeschrittenem Ösophaguskarzinom

Abstract

Introduction: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) had been demonstrated to be associated with carcinogenesis, outcome and sensitivity to anticancer treatment in various cancer types. We aimed with the current study to compare the expression levels of selected miRNAs with clinical data of patients with locally advanced esophageal cancer. Methods: TaqMan® qPCR assays were performed for selected miRNAs in FFPE specimens of patients with a locally advanced but not metastasized disease (pT2/3; pN0/1/2). These data were compared to clinico-pathological features. A p-value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: MiR-148a expression levels were inversely associated with differentiation grade in EAC, miR-21 expression levels were higher in the case of distant lymph node metastasis in SCC. Furthermore, miR-148a (EAC) and miR-21 (SCC) levels were lower in more proximal tumor locations. Finally, miR-106a and miR-148a were downregulated in those SCC patients who presented with a recurrent disease and had a tumor-related death. Conclusion: We could demonstrate for the first time that alterations in miRNA expression correlate to the local tumor stage and to the control of the disease in both EAC and SCC.