MicroRNA-371a-3p (miR371) has been suggested as a sensitive biomarker in testicular germ cell cancer (TGCC). We aimed to compare miR371 with the classical biomarkers α-fetoprotein (AFP) and β-human chorionic gonadotropin (hCGβ). Overall, 180 patients were prospectively enrolled in the study, with serum samples collected before and after orchiectomy. We compared the use of digital droplet PCR (RT-ddPCR) with the quantitative PCR used by others for detection of miR371. The novel RT-ddPCR protocol showed high performance in detection of miR371 in serum samples. In the study cohort, miR371 was measured using RT-ddPCR. MiR371 detected CS1 of the seminoma and the non-seminoma sub-types with a sensitivity of 87% and 89%, respectively. The total sensitivity was 89%. After orchiectomy, miR371 levels declined in 154 of 159 TGCC cases. The ratio of miR371 pre- and post-orchiectomy was 20.5 in CS1 compared to 6.5 in systemic disease. AFP and hCGβ had sensitivities of 52% and 51% in the non-seminomas. MiR371 is a sensitive marker that performs better than the classical markers in all sub-types and clinical stages. Especially for the seminomas CS1, the high sensitivity of miR371 in detecting TGCC cells may have clinical implications.
Scientific reports. 2021 Aug 02*** epublish ***
Mette Pernille Myklebust, Anna Thor, Benedikte Rosenlund, Peder Gjengstø, Ása Karlsdottir, Marianne Brydøy, Bogdan S Bercea, Christian Olsen, Ida Johnson, Mathilde I Berg, Carl W Langberg, Kristine E Andreassen, Anders Kjellman, Hege S Haugnes, Olav Dahl
Mohn Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Jonas Lies vei 91B, 5021, Bergen, Norway. ., Department of Urology and CLINTEC Karolinska Institutet, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden., Mohn Cancer Research Laboratory, Department of Oncology and Medical Physics, Haukeland University Hospital, Jonas Lies vei 91B, 5021, Bergen, Norway., Department of Urology, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen, Norway., Department of Urology, Helse Fonna, Haugesund, Norway., Department of Urology, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway., The Cancer Centre, Oslo University Hospital, Oslo, Norway., Department of Oncology, University Hospital of North Norway, Tromsø, Norway.