Circulating miRNA-30a is associated with favorable therapeutic outcome in patients with gastric cancer treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy.

Abstract

Neoadjuvant chemotherapy (NAC) represents a cornerstone in the management of locally advanced gastric cancer (GC); however, variability in therapeutic effect underscores the need for additional approaches to support post-operative risk stratification. The present study investigated circulating microRNA (miRNA)-30a as a potential post-treatment, response-associated indicator of therapeutic outcome in patients with GC undergoing NAC. Circulating miRNA-30a expression was measured in serum samples using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). NAC-treated patients were stratified into responders (TRG 0-2) and non-responders (TRG 3-5) according to Mandards criteria, while chemotherapy-naive (CT-naive) patients were included as a control group. Circulating miRNA-30a levels were higher in responders compared to non-responders. Elevated miRNA-30a expression was associated with reduced pathological tumor burden, including lower T stage and absence of nodal involvement. ROC analysis demonstrated strong discriminatory performance for distinguishing treatment response. In both univariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses, increased miRNA-30a expression remained independently associated with treatment response. Furthermore, higher miRNA-30a levels were associated with improved overall survival. In conclusion, circulating miRNA-30a is associated with favorable therapeutic outcome in GC and may complement conventional assessment strategies in the post-treatment setting as a response-associated indicator. Further validation in larger, prospective cohorts is needed.