Plasma exosomal miR-1260a, miR-7977 and miR-192-5p as diagnostic biomarkers in epithelial ovarian cancer

Plain language summary This study aimed to identify some miRNAs that can act as predictive and diagnostic markers of ovarian cancer (OC). To do this, miRNAs were isolated from blood samples of OC patients and healthy donors. The level of miRNAs was tested, and the diagnostic value was analyzed using software. Three miRNAs were identified that could be predictive of OC and OC outcome. Aim: The study aimed to clarify the diagnostic value of exosomal miRNAs in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Methods: Plasma exosomes were isolated from peripheral blood of EOC patients and healthy donors by ultracentrifugation and verified by transmission electron microscopy, qNano and western blot. The expression of exosomal miRNAs was detected by quantitative PCR, and the diagnostic efficiency of exosomal miRNAs was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic analysis. Results: Exosomal miR-1260a, miR-7977 and miR-192-5p were significantly decreased in EOC as compared with healthy controls. The area under the curve of the combination of three exosomal miRNAs was 0.8337. Moreover, the level of exosomal miR-7977 was related to the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, which decreased in EOC patients with a high neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio. Conclusion: Exosomal miR-1260a, miR-7977 and miR-192-5p act as potentially EOC diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.

Automated summary

This study investigated the diagnostic value of exosomal miRNAs in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC). Plasma exosomes were isolated from EOC patients and healthy controls, and the expression of exosomal miRNAs was detected. Three miRNAs, miR-1260a, miR-7977, and miR-192-5p, were found to have potential diagnostic and prognostic value for EOC. The combination of these three exosomal miRNAs showed a high area under the curve, indicating good diagnostic efficiency. Additionally, the level of exosomal miR-7977 was correlated with the neutrophil-lymphocyte ratio, which decreased in EOC patients with a high ratio.