miR-224 overexpression is a strong and independent prognosticator of short-term relapse and poor overall survival in colorectal adenocarcinoma

Int J Oncol. 2015 Feb;46(2):849-59. doi: 10.3892/ijo.2014.2775. Epub 2014 Nov 24.

Abstract

Colorectal adenocarcinoma constitutes the most frequent form of colorectal cancer and a serious cause of cancer-related deaths. The expression of multiple miRNAs, including miR-224, is deregulated in colorectal adenocarcinoma. The aim of this study was the investigation of the prognostic value of miR-224 in colorectal adenocarcinoma. For this purpose, total RNA was isolated from 115 colorectal adenocarcinomas and 66 adjacent non-cancer mucosae. Total RNA (2 µg) was polyadenylated and reverse transcribed. A quantitative PCR method based on SYBR-Green chemistry was developed and applied for the quantification of miR-224 levels, followed by extensive biostatistical analysis. miR-224 levels in malignant colorectal adenocarcinomas ranged between 1.81 and 187.75 RQU (miR-224 copies/1,000 SNORD48 copies) with a median of 34.27, and were significantly elevated, compared to miR-224 levels in adjacent non-cancer mucosae (p<0.001). Enhanced miR-224 expression constitutes a rather strong prognosticator in colorectal adenocarcinoma, predicting short-term relapse and poor overall survival in these patients (p=0.012 and p=0.005, respectively), independent of established clinicopathological parameters. In conclusion, miR-224 is significantly upregulated in malignant colorectal tumors compared to adjacent non-cancer mucosae, and its enhanced expression constitutes an independent predictor of short-term relapse and poor overall survival in colorectal adenocarcinoma patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adenocarcinoma / genetics*
  • Adenocarcinoma / pathology
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / genetics*
  • Colorectal Neoplasms / pathology
  • Female
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
  • Humans
  • Kaplan-Meier Estimate
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Male
  • MicroRNAs / biosynthesis*
  • MicroRNAs / genetics
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / genetics*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / pathology
  • Prognosis
  • Recurrence

Substances

  • MIRN224 microRNA, human
  • MicroRNAs