Background: Resistance to EGFR‐TKIs constitutes a major challenge for the management of EGFR‐mutated NSCLC, and recent evidence suggests that deregulation of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) may influence resistance to targeted agents. In this retrospective study, we explored the role of specific plasmatic miRNAs (miR‐21, miR‐27a and miR‐181a) as a surrogate for predicting EGFR‐TKI performance in EGFR‐mutated NSCLC patients. Methods: Plasma samples of 39 advanced EGFR‐mutated NSCLC patients treated with EGFR‐TKIs were collected at different points in time and miRNA levels were assessed by RT‐PCR. Results: Higher basal values of miR‐21 were reported in patients who achieved a partial/complete response (PR/CR) compared to those with stability/progression of disease (SD/PD) (p = 0.011). Along the same line, patients who experienced a clinical benefit lasting at least six months displayed higher basal levels of circulating miR‐21 (p = 0.039). However, dynamic evaluation of miRNA values after two months from the start of EGFR‐TKI treatment showed that patients who experienced SD had an increase in miR‐21 levels (Fold Change [FC] = 2.6) compared to patients achieving PR/CR (p = 0.029). The same tendency was observed for miR‐27a (FC = 3.1) and miR‐181a (FC = 2.0), although without reaching statistical significance. Remarkably, preclinical studies showed an increase in miR‐21 levels in NSCLC cells that became resistant after exposure to EGFR‐TKIs. Conclusions: Our study provides interesting insights on the role of circulating miRNAs, in particular miR‐21, and their dynamic change over time in predicting EGFR‐TKI response in EGFR‐mutated NSCLC.

Dynamic evaluation of circulating mirna profile in egfr‐ mutated nsclc patients treated with egfr‐tkis / Leonetti, A.; Capula, M.; Minari, R.; Mazzaschi, G.; Gregori, A.; El Hassouni, B.; Papini, F.; Bordi, P.; Verze, M.; Avan, A.; Tiseo, M.; Giovannetti, E.. - In: CELLS. - ISSN 2073-4409. - 10:6(2021), p. 1520.1520. [10.3390/cells10061520]

Dynamic evaluation of circulating mirna profile in egfr‐ mutated nsclc patients treated with egfr‐tkis

Leonetti A.;Mazzaschi G.;Bordi P.;Tiseo M.;
2021-01-01

Abstract

Background: Resistance to EGFR‐TKIs constitutes a major challenge for the management of EGFR‐mutated NSCLC, and recent evidence suggests that deregulation of specific microRNAs (miRNAs) may influence resistance to targeted agents. In this retrospective study, we explored the role of specific plasmatic miRNAs (miR‐21, miR‐27a and miR‐181a) as a surrogate for predicting EGFR‐TKI performance in EGFR‐mutated NSCLC patients. Methods: Plasma samples of 39 advanced EGFR‐mutated NSCLC patients treated with EGFR‐TKIs were collected at different points in time and miRNA levels were assessed by RT‐PCR. Results: Higher basal values of miR‐21 were reported in patients who achieved a partial/complete response (PR/CR) compared to those with stability/progression of disease (SD/PD) (p = 0.011). Along the same line, patients who experienced a clinical benefit lasting at least six months displayed higher basal levels of circulating miR‐21 (p = 0.039). However, dynamic evaluation of miRNA values after two months from the start of EGFR‐TKI treatment showed that patients who experienced SD had an increase in miR‐21 levels (Fold Change [FC] = 2.6) compared to patients achieving PR/CR (p = 0.029). The same tendency was observed for miR‐27a (FC = 3.1) and miR‐181a (FC = 2.0), although without reaching statistical significance. Remarkably, preclinical studies showed an increase in miR‐21 levels in NSCLC cells that became resistant after exposure to EGFR‐TKIs. Conclusions: Our study provides interesting insights on the role of circulating miRNAs, in particular miR‐21, and their dynamic change over time in predicting EGFR‐TKI response in EGFR‐mutated NSCLC.
2021
Dynamic evaluation of circulating mirna profile in egfr‐ mutated nsclc patients treated with egfr‐tkis / Leonetti, A.; Capula, M.; Minari, R.; Mazzaschi, G.; Gregori, A.; El Hassouni, B.; Papini, F.; Bordi, P.; Verze, M.; Avan, A.; Tiseo, M.; Giovannetti, E.. - In: CELLS. - ISSN 2073-4409. - 10:6(2021), p. 1520.1520. [10.3390/cells10061520]
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
cells-10-01520-v2.pdf

accesso aperto

Descrizione: Articolo principale
Tipologia: Versione (PDF) editoriale
Licenza: Creative commons
Dimensione 1.72 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
1.72 MB Adobe PDF Visualizza/Apri

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/11381/2901089
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? ND
  • Scopus 10
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 9
social impact