Potential of micro-RNAs 193a-3p, 378-3p, 210-3p, and 362-3p as serum biomarkers for clear cell renal cell carcinoma

Objective

MicroRNAs (miRs) play a significant role in carcinogenesis and tumor progression, suggesting their potential as biomarkers. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic utility of four circulating miRs in patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC).

Methods

Serum expression levels of miR-193a-3p, miR-378-3p, miR-210-3p, and miR-362-3p were quantified in 30 patients with clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and 15 non-tumor controls using real-time polymerase chain reaction. Mann–Whitney U tests and Receiver Operating Characteristics with Area under the curve (AUC) calculations were employed to evaluate the association between miR expression levels and patient group (ccRCC versus controls).

Results

Statistically significant differences in mean serum levels of miR-193a-3p and miR-378-3p were observed between ccRCC patients and controls. The median miR-193a-3p level was increased in ccRCC patients (median: 4.50 %, IQR: 1.38, 11.47) compared to controls (median: 2.57 %, IQR: 0.27, 3.87), p = 0.032; AUC for ccRCC detection was 0.70. Also, the median miR-378-3p level was higher in ccRCC patients (median: 2.01 %, IQR: 1.00, 3.33) compared to controls (median: 0.66 %, IQR: 0.44, 1.98), p = 0.049. AUC was 0.68. No significant differences were found for serum miR-362-3p and miR-210-3p expression in ccRCC patients and non-tumor controls (p = 0.547 for miR-362-3p and p = 0.791 for miR-210-3p).

Conclusion

These findings suggest that miR-193a-3p and miR-378-3p may have limited potential as diagnostic biomarkers for ccRCC. The data do not support further investigation of miR-362-3p and miR-210-3p for this purpose.