Serum Exosome MicroRNA as a Minimally-Invasive Early Biomarker of AML

Sci Rep. 2015 Jun 12:5:11295. doi: 10.1038/srep11295.

Abstract

Relapse remains the major cause of mortality for patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML). Improved tracking of minimal residual disease (MRD) holds the promise of timely treatment adjustments to preempt relapse. Current surveillance techniques detect circulating blasts that coincide with advanced disease and poorly reflect MRD during early relapse. Here, we investigate exosomes as a minimally invasive platform for a microRNA (miRNA) biomarker. We identify a set of miRNA enriched in AML exosomes and track levels of circulating exosome miRNA that distinguish leukemic xenografts from both non-engrafted and human CD34+ controls. We develop biostatistical models that reveal circulating exosomal miRNA at low marrow tumor burden and before circulating blasts can be detected. Remarkably, both leukemic blasts and marrow stroma contribute to serum exosome miRNA. We propose development of serum exosome miRNA as a platform for a novel, sensitive compartment biomarker for prospective tracking and early detection of AML recurrence.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Biomarkers, Tumor / blood*
  • Exosomes / metabolism*
  • HL-60 Cells
  • Humans
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / blood*
  • Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute / pathology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred NOD
  • Mice, SCID
  • MicroRNAs / blood*
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / blood*
  • Neoplasms, Experimental / pathology
  • RNA, Neoplasm / blood*
  • U937 Cells

Substances

  • Biomarkers, Tumor
  • MicroRNAs
  • RNA, Neoplasm

Associated data

  • GEO/GSE55025