Expression of miRNA-21 and miRNA-221 in clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) and their possible role in the development of ccRCC

Clear cell renal cell carcinoma (ccRCC) is the third most common urological cancer after prostate and bladder cancer but has the highest rate of mortality affecting over 40% of patients. microRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that have become potential biomarkers and molecular targets for cancer treatment. Molecular markers such as miRNAs may have a role in the diagnosis of ccRCC. In this study, we examined the expressions of miRNA-21 and miRNA-221 in renal cancer patients׳ tumor and adjacent paired normal tissues investigating the possible role of these miRNAs in the development of ccRCC.

Renal tumors (n = 24) and paired normal renal tissue (n = 24) samples, obtained from the Department of Urology, University of Debrecen, were analyzed for miRNA-21 and miRNA-221 expressions with quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction.

miRNA-21 and miRNA-221 expressions were significantly up-regulated in tumor specimens compared to normal tissue (P<0.05). miRNA-21 and miRNA-221 showed coexpression pattern in 19 (79.2%) cases of tumor samples and 8 (33.3%) cases of paired normal renal tissues. Increased miRNA pattern showed a positive correlation with pathological status of the patients.

Expression of oncogenic miRNA-21 and miRNA-221 in human ccRCC tumor tissue samples compared to adjacent nontumorous tissues might suggest that these miRNAs are involved in the development of ccRCC.

Urologic oncology. 2016 Jul 14 [Epub ahead of print]

Zsuzsanna Szabó, Krisztián Szegedi, Katalin Gombos, Choudhury Mahua, Tibor Flaskó, Kristóf Harda, Gábor Halmos

Department of Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary., Department of Urology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary., Institute of Public Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Pécs, Pécs, Hungary., Department of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Texas A & M School of Pharmacy, Kingsville, TX., Department of Urology, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary., Department of Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary., Department of Biopharmacy, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of Debrecen, Debrecen, Hungary. Electronic address: .