Prognostic significance of miR-194 in endometrial cancer

• Published in: Biomarker research Vol. 1; no. 1; p. 12
• Main Authors: Zhai, Haiyan, Karaayvaz, Mihriban, Dong, Peixin, Sakuragi, Noriaki, Ju, Jingfang
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England BioMed Central Ltd 18.02.2013; BioMed Central
• Subjects: MiR-194; Endometrial cancer
• ISSN: 2050-7771; 2050-7771
• DOI: 10.1186/2050-7771-1-12

Endometrial cancer (EC) is the leading malignant tumor occurring in the female genital tract and some subtypes are highly invasive and metastatic. miRNAs are small non-coding RNAs that have a broad impact on cancer progression. In particular, miR-194 regulates epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) by suppressing the expression of BMI-1 in EC. In this retrospective study, the clinical significance of miR-194 was investigated in archival EC specimens. We extracted total RNA from thirty-two EC samples and quantified the expression level of miR-194. We discovered that the expression level of miR-194 was significantly (P = 0.03) lower in type I EC patients with more advanced stage. In addition, patients with higher miR-194 levels have better prognosis than those with lower miR-194 levels (P = 0.0067; Cut-off value of miR-194 = 0.3). These results indicate that miR-194 has potential to serve as prognostic biomarker for EC patients.