title: MicroRNA miR-371a-3p - A Novel Serum Biomarker of Testicular Germ Cell Tumors: Evidence for Specificity from Measurements in Testicular Vein Blood and in Neoplastic Hydrocele Fluid.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  microRNAs (miRs)-371-3 are suggested to be novel biomarkers of germ cell tumors (GCTs), but their specificity is unresolved. We aimed at clarifying the origin of miR 371a-3p by measuring this miR in peripheral vein blood, and in fluids present in the vicinity of GCTs.
  
  
  METHODS
  miR-371a-3p levels were measured by quantitative PCR in 9 tumor surrounding hydroceles and in cubital vein blood (CVB) and testicular vein blood (TVB) of 64 GCT patients, 51 with clinical stage (CS) 1, 13 with CS2-3. Thirty three CS1 cases had also postoperative CVB measurement. TVB miR levels were compared with those of CVB. Associations with clinical factors were analyzed statistically.
  
  
  RESULTS
  TVB miR levels were 294-fold, 80-fold and 4.6-fold higher than those in CVB of CS1 patients, CS2-3 patients and controls, respectively. Neoplastic hydrocele fluid comprised of very high miR levels. In CS1, miR levels dropped to normal postoperatively. Statistically, CVB miR levels are significantly associated with tumor size (p = 0.0211) and testis length (p = 0.0493). TVB miR levels are associated with testis length (p = 0.0129).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study provides evidence for the origin of circulating miR 371a-3p molecules from GCT cells. miR-371a-3p represents a specific serum biomarker for germ cell cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Albertinen-Krankenhaus Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.
authors.forename: Klaus-Peter
authors.initials: KP
authors.lastname: Dieckmann
authors.forename: Meike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Spiekermann
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Balks
authors.forename: Raphael
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Ikogho
authors.forename: Petra
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Anheuser
authors.forename: Werner
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Wosniok
authors.forename: Thomas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Loening
authors.forename: Jörn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bullerdiek
authors.forename: Gazanfer
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Belge
mesh_terms: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000032:analysis; D001826:Body Fluids / Q000737:chemistry; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000032:analysis* / Q000097:blood; D009373:Neoplasms, Germ Cell and Embryonal / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*; D012680:Sensitivity and Specificity; D006848:Testicular Hydrocele / Q000150:complications; D013736:Testicular Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000150:complications / Q000235:genetics*; D013737:Testis / Q000098:blood supply*; D014680:Veins
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C554834:MIRN371 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs