Serum miR-224 Reflects Stage of Hepatocellular Carcinoma and Predicts Survival

Abstract EN

Background.

In our previous study, we conducted a systematic screening of miRNA to identify potential serum biomarkers for predicting venous metastasis and survival in patients with hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC).

miR-224 was one of the differentially expressed miRNAs.

This study aimed to confirm whether serum miR-224 level is associated with the presence of venous metastasis and survival.

Methods.

TaqMan miRNA probe was used to perform qRT-PCR assays to evaluate the expression of serum miR-224 in a cohort of 182 HCC patients.

Results.

Patients with high miR-224 serum level showed poor survival compared to that with low miR-224 serum level (HR 1.985; 95% CI, 1.08, 3.65, P = 0.027 ).

The serum miR-224 levels were significantly higher in the BCLC stage C patients compared with the stage B patients ( P = 0.005 ).

In further analysis, significant difference of serum miR-224 expression level was observed when patients grouped by the status of PVTT but not the status of extra-liver metastasis ( P = 0.013 and P = 0.091 ).

Serum levels of miR-224 showed significant relation with parameters of liver damage and serum AFP.

Conclusion.

Serum miR-224 might be BCLC stage dependent.

It can reflect the status of tumor and liver damage.

It was an independent predictor for the survival of HCC patients.