ONCOmmunity

Alteration of miRNA expression correlates with lifestyle, social and environmental determinants in esophageal carcinoma.

By: Éva Stánitz, Krisztina Juhász, Katalin Gombos, Katalin Gőcze, Csaba Tóth, István Kiss

Transdanubian Regional National Public Health Institute, Szombathely, Hungary.
2015-2-11; doi:

Abstract

Background/aim

Esophageal cancer (EC) is the eighth most common cancer with a highly aggressive potency. Considering the poor survival of esophageal carcinoma there is a need for useful molecular biomarkers for prevention and early detection. Our aim was to determine the significance of altered microRNA (miRNA) expression in esophageal cancer, in relation to lifestyle, social and environmental factors.

Materials

The relative expression levels of the following miRNAs: miR-21, miR-143, miR-196a, miR-203, miR-205 and miR-221 were monitored in control and esophageal squamous-cell carcinoma (ESCC) samples using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). miRNA expression pattern of tumor tissues were evaluated according to patients' social status, living condition, smoking and drinking habits alone and in combinations.

Results

miR-21, miR-143, miR-203, miR-205 and miR-221 were over-expressed in esophageal cancer compared with normal tissues. Increased expression of miR-205 was related to smoking, while excessive alcohol consumption showed a correlation with under-expression of miR-143, miR-203 and miR-205 in tumor samples. Significant associations were detected between reduced expression of miR-143, miR-203 and low social status, and combination of smoking and heavy drinking.

Conclusion

Alterations of miRNA expression in ESCC can be correlated with the presence of common risk factors. The altered expression of certain miRNAs could be used as novel molecular markers of esophageal carcinoma.