title: Identification of serum microRNA-21 as a biomarker for early detection and prognosis in human epithelial ovarian cancer.
abstract: Recent investigations have confirmed up-regulation of serum miR-21 and its diagnostic and prognostic value in several human malignancies. In this study, we examined serum miR-21 levels in epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) patients, and explored its association with clinicopathological factors and prognosis. The results showed significantly higher serum miR-21 levels in EOC patients than in healthy controls. In addition, increased serum miR-21 expression was correlated with advanced FIGO stage, high tumor grade, and shortened overall survival. These findings indicate that serum miR-21 may serve as a novel diagnostic and prognostic marker, and be used as a therapeutic target for the treatment of EOC.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Affiliated Hospital of Nan Tong University, Nan Tong, Jiangsu, China. manuxiqh@163.com
authors.forename: Yun-Zhao
authors.initials: YZ
authors.lastname: Xu
authors.forename: Qing-Hua
authors.initials: QH
authors.lastname: Xi
authors.forename: Wen-Liang
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Ge
authors.forename: Xiao-Qian
authors.initials: XQ
authors.lastname: Zhang
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D000077216:Carcinoma, Ovarian Epithelial; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics; D008875:Middle Aged; D009375:Neoplasms, Glandular and Epithelial / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality*; D010051:Ovarian Neoplasms / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000401:mortality*; D011379:Prognosis; D013534:Survival; D015854:Up-Regulation
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C524940:MIRN21 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs