Background: Testicular germ cell tumours (TGCTs) are the most common tumours in men aged from 20 to 40 years, with a steadily increasing incidence. This study aimed to characterize the expression of the miRNA cluster C19MC in TGCT and to evaluate the suitability of a C19MC miRNA as a serum biomarker.
Materials and methods: By quantitative reverse transcription PCR, we measured the expression of miR-517a-3p, miR-519a-3p, and miR-519c 3p in tissue samples of 25 TGCTs and the level of miR-517a-3p in serum samples obtained pre- and postoperatively from the same patients.
Results: We detected a significantly higher expression of C19MC miRNAs in non-seminomas than in seminomas and in clinical stages 2 and 3 than in stage 1 in both tissue and serum samples.
Conclusion: miRNAs of C19MC are overexpressed in more aggressive types of TGCT, suggesting they contribute to malignancy. Furthermore, they might serve as serum biomarkers for these types of TGCT.
Keywords: C19MC; TGCT; biomarker; miRNA; serum.
Copyright© 2016, International Institute of Anticancer Research (Dr. John G. Delinasios), All rights reserved.