Diagnostic and prognostic values of serum exosomal microRNA-21 in children with hepatoblastoma: a Chinese population-based study.
BACKGROUND
Hepatoblastoma (HB) is the most common primary malignant tumor of the liver in young children. The aim of this study is to identify the diagnostic and prognostic values of serum exosomal miR-21 in Chinese patients with HB.


METHODS
We retrospectively reviewed 32 children with HB. The expressions of miR-21 were detected by real-time PCR. The comparison of diagnostic performance of plasmatic, exosomal miR-21 and AFP levels was measured using the Area Under ROC Curve.


RESULTS
For patients in HB group, miR-21 concentration was significantly higher in the exosomes compared with the exosome-depleted supernatants and whole plasma. Expression of miR-21 was significantly higher in patients with HB compared with control group in both plasma and exosomes. With respect to the diagnosis of patients with HB, exosomal miR-21 was significantly more accurate compared with the Alpha-fetoprotein levels. Moreover, exosomal miR-21 was an independent predictor of Even-free survival for patients with HB.


CONCLUSIONS
In this study, we found that expression of miR-21 was significantly higher in patients with HB compared with control group in both plasma and exosomes, and we confirmed that exosomal miR-21 could be defined as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker for patients with HB.
Department of Medical Affairs, The General Hospital of the PLA Rocket Force, Beijing, China.
Wanbo
W
Liu
Department of General Surgery, The General Hospital of the PLA Rocket Force, Beijing, China.
Sheng
S
Chen
Center for Disease Prevention and Control of Rocket Force, No. 109, Beiqing Road, Haidian distinct, Beijing, 100032, China. liubehbh@126.com.
Bing
B
Liu
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D002675:Child, Preschool; D002681:China; D055354:Exosomes / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D018197:Hepatoblastoma / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics*; D011379:Prognosis; D012372:ROC Curve; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction; D012189:Retrospective Studies
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C524940:MIRN21 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs
Exosome; Hepatoblastoma; MicroRNA-21