Low-level serum miR-24-2 is associated with the progression of colorectal cancer

BACKGROUND: colorectal cancer (CRC) is the second leading cause of cancer and cancer- related death in the world. Noninvasive biomarkers for early diagnosis of CRC are highly demanded. OBJECTIVE: The up-regulation of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) in serum has been considered a promising biomarker of CRC and miR-24-2 may be a potential biomarker in the diagnosis the progression of CRC. METHODS: Sixty-eighty healthy subjects and 228 CRC patients were divided into six groups: control group, CRC 0, CRC I, CRC II, CRC III, CRC IV and CRC V. Serum level of miR-24-2 was measured by real-time qPCR. Serum lipid profiles and oxidative-related molecules were also measured. RESULTS: Serum levels of miR-24-2 in CRC patients were significantly higher than healthy subjects (p < 0.05). In addition, the expression level of the miR-24-2 was decreased with the progression of CRC and reached the lowest level in CRC V. Spearman Rank Correlation analysis showed that miR-24-2 level was negatively related to the levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and reduced glutathione (GSH), aspartate transaminase (AST), alanine transaminase (ALT), cholesterol and triglyceride (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Serum miR-24-2 is a potential negative biomarker in the diagnosis of the progression of CRC patients and associated with biochemical indices.