Cell-free miR-24 and miR-30d, potential diagnostic biomarkers in malignant effusions

Objectives: The study was trying to figure out the possible role of cell-free miR-24 and miR-30d as diagnostic biomarkers for malignant effusions.

Methods: A total of 110 effusion samples (28 benign and 82 malignant) were collected and cell-free total RNA was extracted. Quantitative RT-PCR was carried out to measure the expression levels of miR-24 and miR-30d, with an exogenous supplemented plant miRNA, ath-miR156a as the reference RNA.

Results: Malignant pleural effusions had higher expression levels of cell-free miR-24 and miR-30d than benign effusions. In the ascites group, only miR-30d was found to be significantly up-regulated in the supernatant of effusions. Combination of cell-free miR-24 and miR-30d could discriminate malignant ascites from benign with improved potency comparing to single miR-30d.

Conclusions: Cell-free miR-30d and miR-24 are potential diagnostic biomarkers for malignant and benign effusions.