Circulating Exosomal miR-141-3p and miR-375 in Metastatic Progression of Rectal Cancer.

ABSTRACT: As many as 30% to 40% of locally advanced rectal cancer (LARC) patients experience metastatic progression of the disease. Recognizing the potential of the genetic cargo in tumor-derived exosomes, we hypothesized that plasma exosomal microRNA (miRNA) may reflect biological aggressiveness in LARC and provide new markers for rectal cancer aggressiveness and risk stratification. In a prospective LARC cohort (NCT01816607), plasma samples were collected from 29 patients at the time of diagnosis, before neoadjuvant therapy and surgery. Exosomes, precipitated from plasma using a commercial kit, were verified by cryo-electron microscopy, nanoparticle tracking analysis, and western blotting. Expression of exosomal miRNAs was profiled using a miRCURY LNA miRNA microarray and validation of six miRNAs associated with pathological and clinical end-points was undertaken in plasma collected at the time of diagnosis from 64 patients in an independent prospective LARC cohort (NCT00278694). In both cohorts, exosomal miR-141-3p and miR-375 were higher in patients with synchronous liver metastasis than in those without (P?=?.010 and P?=?.017 respectively in the investigative cohort, and P?

SUBMITTER: Meltzer S 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6542769 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature