title: MicroRNA-375 as a biomarker for malignant transformation in oral lesions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Malignant transformation of oral premalignant lesions is the key process in the progression to oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Previously, we identified miR-7 and miR-21 as candidate oncogenes and miR-375 and miR-494 as candidate tumor suppressors in OSCC. We aim to evaluate these microRNAs as biomarkers of malignant transformation in oral premalignant lesions.
  
  
  METHODS
  Formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded samples from progressive premalignant lesions and paired sequential OSCC tumors at the same site were obtained from same patients (n = 31). Total RNA was extracted and analyzed for microRNA levels using real-time polymerase chain reaction.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MiR-375 expression in progressive lesions was clearly lower than in nonprogressive control lesions (average eightfold difference, P = .0004). Furthermore, the expression of miR-375 decreased significantly after the progression from premalignant lesion to OSCC (P < .0001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that miR-375 was able to differentiate between progressive and nonprogressive premalignant lesions (P < .0001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MiR-375 downregulation in oral premalignant lesions is associated with a higher risk of malignant transformation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Amani M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Harrandah
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Sarah G
authors.initials: SG
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Molly H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Laboratory of Cellular Oncology, Center for Cancer Research, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
authors.forename: Dunrui
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wang
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Diagnostic Sciences, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL, USA.
authors.forename: Donald M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral Biology, University of Florida College of Dentistry, Gainesville, FL, USA. Electronic address: Echan@ufl.edu.
authors.forename: Edward K L
authors.initials: EK
authors.lastname: Chan
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000378:metabolism; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D002471:Cell Transformation, Neoplastic / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000378:metabolism*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology*; D060888:Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D035683:MicroRNAs