Prostate cancer (PCa) continues to present significant diagnostic and treatment challenges, particularly with its rising incidence among older males. Recent research from the Second Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University highlights the potential of microRNAs (miRNAs)—particularly hsa-miR-6715b-3p—as biomarkers for the disease. This study reveals how miRNA expression profiles differ across various stages of prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), aiming to improve diagnostic accuracy and patient outcomes.
The study, conducted between September 2021 and June 2022, analyzed 12 specimens collected from patients undergoing prostate surgery, including samples from early localized tumors, locally invasive cancers, and metastatic cases, as well as benign tissues. High-throughput sequencing technology identified 1,526 miRNAs, with 228 showing differential expression. Among these, hsa-miR-6715b-3p was identified for its remarkable overexpression—64 times higher in cancerous tissues compared to benign ones.
According to the National Cancer Centre of China, prostate cancer has established itself as one of the top malignancies for men, with over 134,200 new diagnoses reported in 2022. It is the ninth most common cancer, reflecting the urgent necessity for effective biomarkers to facilitate early and accurate diagnosis.
Throughout the conducted research, the team executed extensive bioinformatics analyses, mapping miRNA expression and linking them to various oncogenic pathways. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis unveiled the involvement of these miRNAs primarily in cellular metabolism and signaling pathways, which are central to cancer progression. Notably, the study’s findings suggest the MAPK signaling pathway and autophagy could be influenced by these miRNAs, illustrating their potential impact on prostate cancer development and treatment.
“hsa-miR-6715b-3p was highly expressed in PCa tissues compared to BPH tissues,” the authors stated, reinforcing its status as a candidate biomarker. The established correlations between specific miRNA expressions and prostate cancer stages may assist clinicians with more nuanced and effective treatment plans, particularly for patients within the so-called PSA gray zone, where conventional testing often yields ambiguous results.
This gray zone remains tricky for many patients, where PSA levels are elevated but do not straightforwardly indicate the presence of cancer. The identification of distinguishing biomarkers like hsa-miR-6715b-3p could offer significant advancements, elucidated by data showing 33 differentially expressed miRNAs accounted for early invasive cases, 21 for locally invasive cases, and 42 for advanced metastatic PCa compared to benign cases. Such detailed insights prompt optimism about the potential for miRNAs to revolutionize prostate cancer diagnostics.
Dr. Zhengjie Xiang and his team have paved the way for future research avenues. Not only can hsa-miR-6715b-3p be utilized as a biomarker, but its study may also provide new therapeutics targeting underlying molecular mechanisms associated with prostate cancer. The authors suggest future investigations be directed toward evaluating the clinical applications of hsa-miR-6715b-3p, alongside its interplay with other genes implicated in tumor progression.
Further exploration of miRNA functionalities is imperative, especially how they might influence treatment resistance—an unfortunate scenario faced by many prostate cancer patients. It’s evident from prior work, such as the impact of cellular pathways like APE (apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease), indicating potential associations between this gene and hsa-miR-6715b-3p warrant thorough investigation, particularly with the complexity presented by this cancer.
Collectively, this study reinforces burgeoning interest at the intersection of miRNA profiling and traditional cancer treatment paradigms, underscoring miRNAs' roles not only as biomarkers but potentially as therapeutic targets, enhancing precision medicine initiatives for prostate cancer.
Ongoing research must focus on adequately validating additional differentially expressed miRNAs identified as prognostic indicators, ensuring high levels of accuracy and reliability within clinical applications. The foundation laid by this study opens avenues to integrating comprehensive miRNA-based strategies to effectively tackle prostate cancer’s complexity.