Small extravesicular microRNA in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma and its potential as a liquid biopsy for early detection

Background The objective was to assess secretion of small extracellular vesicular microRNA (exo-miRNA) in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) according to human papillomavirus (HPV) status, and determine the translational potential as a liquid biopsy for early detection. Methods This study employed a combination of cell culture and case-control study design using archival pretreatment serum. Small extracellular vesicles (sEV) were isolated from conditioned culture media and human serum samples via differential ultracentrifugation. miRNA-sequencing was performed on each sEV isolate. Results There were clear exo-miRNA profiles that distinguished HNSCC cell lines from nonpathologic oral epithelial control cells. While there was some overlap among profiles across all samples, there were apparent differences in exo-miRNA profiles according to HPV-status. Importantly, differential exo-miRNA profiles were also apparent in serum from early-stage HNSCC cases relative to cancer-free controls. Conclusions Our findings indicate that exo-miRNA are highly dysregulated in HNSCC and support the potential of exo-miRNA as biomarkers for HNSCC.

Automated summary

This study found clear differences in exo-miRNA profiles between head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells and healthy epithelial cells, with variations according to human papillomavirus (HPV) status. Additionally, differential exo-miRNA profiles were observed in serum from early-stage HNSCC cases compared to cancer-free controls.