Serum MiRNA-27a as potential diagnostic nucleic marker for breast cancer

Background: Accumulating evidence reveals that microRNA 27a (miR 27a) is implicated in the pathogenesis of cancer. However, its diagnostic role in breast cancer (BC) still needs investigation. Materials and methods: MiR 27a expression was assessed in serum samples from patients with primary BC (n = 100), benign breast lesions (n = 30) and control group served as healthy volunteers (n = 20) using quantitative real-time PCR. Results: Both expression and mean rank of miR 27a and tumor markers among BC patients as compared to the other two groups. Clinicopathological characteristics showed significant relation with miRN 27a expression for clinical stage, histological grading, ER receptor and HER-2/neu. The diagnostic efficacy for miR 27a was superior to both tumor markers for early detection of BC especially high-risk BC groups. Conclusion: Detection of miR 27a expression may serve as a potential sensitive minimally invasive molecular marker for early detection of primary BC.

Automated summary

miR 27a shows potential as a diagnostic marker for breast cancer, with its expression being more effective than tumor markers, especially in early detection of high-risk breast cancer patients.