Could miRNA Signatures be Useful for Predicting Uterine Sarcoma and Carcinosarcoma Prognosis and Treatment?

• Main Authors: Laura Gonzalez dos Anjos, Bruna Cristine de Almeida, Thais Gomes de Almeida, André Mourão Lavorato Rocha, Giovana De Nardo Maffazioli, Fernando Augusto Soares, Isabela Werneck da Cunha, Edmund Chada Baracat, Katia Candido Carvalho
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: MDPI AG 2018-09-01
• Series: Cancers
• Subjects: uterine sarcomas; carcinosarcoma; miRNA; oncomirs; miRNA expression
• Online Access: http://www.mdpi.com/2072-6694/10/9/315

Changes in microRNA (miRNA) expression may lead to cancer development and/or contribute to its progression; however, their role in uterine sarcomas is poorly understood. Uterine sarcomas (US) belong to a rare class of heterogeneous tumors, representing about 1% of all gynecologic neoplasms. This study aimed to assess the expression profile of 84 cancer-related miRNAs and to evaluate their correlation with clinical pathological features. Eighty-two formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) samples were selected. In leiomyosarcoma (LMS), there was an association of lower cancer-specific survival (CSS) with the downregulation of miR-125a-5p and miR-10a-5p, and the upregulation of miR-196a-5p and miR-34c-5p. In carcinosarcoma (CS), lower CSS was associated with the upregulation of miR-184, and the downregulation of let-7b-5p and miR-124. In endometrial stromal sarcomas (ESS), the upregulation of miR-373-3p, miR-372-3p, and let-7b-5p, and the down-expression of let-7f-5p, miR-23-3p, and let-7b-5p were associated with lower CSS. Only miR-138-5p upregulation was associated with higher survival rates. miR-335-5p, miR-301a-3p, and miR-210-3p were more highly expressed in patients with tumor metastasis and relapse. miR-138-5p, miR-146b-5p, and miR-218-5p expression were associated with higher disease-free survival (DFS) in treated patients. These miRNAs represent potential prediction markers for prognosis and treatment response in these tumors.