Differential Expression of Down-regulated MicroRNA-126 and Micro RNA-22 in Ovarian Carcinogenesis

Background: Non-coding RNA i.e. MicroRNA plays an important role in the progression and pathogenesis of different types of tumours including ovarian cancer. Deregulated microRNA expression could transform the passivity of cancer, disease progression, chemoresistance, and mobility. The miRNA profile of healthy and cancerous samples was observed to be different. MicroRNA expression analysis and profiling have a bright future in improving the effectiveness of ovarian cancer treatment that is customized to the patient's specific requirements. Expression analysis of serum microRNA- 126 and microRNA-22 in ovarian carcinogenesis has been done in the present study. 

Methods: Present study has been done in the serum of eighty- two epithelial ovarian cancer patients and eighty- two their age-matched healthy women to investigate the expression of miR-126 and miR- 22 was TaqMan PCR microRNA assay. The correlation of expression miR-126 and miR-22 with epidemiological and clinicopathological factors was determined statistically. 

Results: Results showed a 3.37-fold decrease in miR-126 expression and a 2.67-fold reduction in miR-22 expression in ovarian cancer patients. Decreased serum level of miR-22 and miR-126 in ovarian cancer patients has been correlated with the FIGO stage. Results revealed 87.46 sensitivity and 91.12 specificities for down-regulated microRNA 22 with FIGO stage of ovarian cancer and 71.26 sensitivity and 81.12 specificities respectively. More sensitivity and specificity of microRNA 22 with FIGO stage of ovarian cancer was revealed as compared to microRNA 126. 

Conclusion: Present study revealed downregulated expression of miR-126 and miR-22 in the serum of epithelial ovarian cancer patients. Among all epidemiological and clinical parameters, the FIGO stage of ovarian cancer revealed a substantial association with microRNA level. Results revealed that the sensitivity and specificity of down-regulated microRNA 22 in ovarian cancer were 87.46 and 91.12 and for microRNA 126 with 71.26 and 81.12 respectively. This may be investigated and verified as a durable diagnostic biomarker for the pre-diagnosis of ovarian carcinogenesis.