Plasma circN4BP2L2 is a promising novel diagnostic biomarker for epithelial ovarian cancer

Background Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are more stable than linear RNA molecules, which makes them promising diagnostic biomarkers for diseases. By circRNA-sequencing analysis, we previously found that circN4BP2L2 was significantly decreased in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) tissues, and was predictive of disease progression. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diagnostic value of plasma circN4BP2L2 in EOC. Methods Three hundred seventy-eight plasma samples were acquired prior to surgery. Samples were obtained from 126 EOC patients, 126 benign ovarian cyst patients, and 126 healthy volunteers. CircN4BP2L2 was assessed using reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR). Cancer antigen 125 (CA125) and human epididymis protein 4 (HE4) were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). EOC cells were transfected with small interference RNAs (siRNAs) and cell proliferation, migration, invasion, cell cycle and cell apoptosis were performed to assess the effect of circN4BP2L2 in EOC. Receiver operating curve (ROC), the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity and specificity were estimated. Results Plasma circN4BP2L2 was significantly downregulated in EOC patients. Decreased circN4BP2L2 was significantly associated with advanced tumor stage, worse histological grade, lymph node metastasis and distant metastasis in EOC. CircN4BP2L2 inhibited tumor cell migration and invasion in vitro. CircN4BP2L2 could significantly separate EOC from benign (AUC = 0.82, P < 0.01) or normal (AUC = 0.90, P < 0.01) cohort. Early stage EOC vs benign (AUC = 0.81, P < 0.01) or normal (AUC = 0.90, P < 0.01) cohort could also be distinguished by circN4BP2L2. In discrimination between EOC cohort and benign or normal cohort, circN4BP2L2 performed equally well in both pre- and post-menopausal women. The combination of circN4BP2L2, CA125 and HE4 showed high sensitivity and specificity in detecting EOC cases. Conclusions Plasma circN4BP2L2 is significantly downregulated in EOC and might serve as a promising novel diagnostic biomarker for EOC patients, especially in early stage EOC cases. CircN4BP2L2 might act as an adjunct to CA125 and HE4 in detecting EOC. Further large-scale studies are warranted to verify our results.

Automated summary

This study found that plasma circN4BP2L2 is significantly downregulated in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients and is associated with tumor progression. CircN4BP2L2 shows good diagnostic value in detecting EOC. CircN4BP2L2 might serve as a promising novel diagnostic biomarker for EOC patients, especially in early stage cases.