MiR-519a functions as a tumor suppressor and is negatively associated with poor prognosis of non-small cell lung cancer

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Wang, Yitao^a | Jiang, Feifei^b | Wang, Jian^c | Fu, Yongxing^d | Li, Yuanyuan^e | Li, Feng^{f; *}

Affiliations: [a] Department of Laboratory, Weihai Municipal Hospital, Weihai, Shandong, China | [b] Department of Laboratory, The Affiliated Weihai Second Municipal Hospital of Qingdao University, Weihai, Shandong, China | [c] Department of Laboratory, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, Shandong, China | [d] Department of Pediatric Medicine, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, Shandong, China | [e] Department of Medical Image, Yidu Central Hospital of Weifang, Weifang, Shandong, China | [f] Department of Emergency Surgery, Weifang People’s Hospital, Weifang, Shandong, China

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding author: Feng Li, Department of Emergency Surgery, Weifang People’s Hospital, No. 151, Guangwen Street, Weifang, Shandong 261000, China. Tel./Fax: +86 536 8192249; E-mail: lifeng12_12@163.com.

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is the major type of lung cancer. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are currently considered as novel targets and tools in cancer therapy. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression level and functional role of miR-519a in NSCLC, as well as its clinical values. METHODS: One hundred and two patients with NSCLC were recruited. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was used for the measurement of the expression level of miR-519a. Kaplan-Meier survival and Cox regression analyses were conducted to explore the prognostic significance of miR-519a in NSCLC. MTT and Transwell assays were used to detect the effect of miR-519a on NSCLC cell proliferation, migration, and invasion. RESULTS: MiR-519a was significantly downregulated in NSCLC tissues, as well as NSCLC cell lines. The expression level of miR-519a was prominently associated with lymph node metastasis and TNM stage. Kaplan-Meier analysis suggested that low miR-519a expression was closely associated with shorter overall survival. Multivariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that miR-519a expression level and TNM stage were two independent prognostic factors for 5-year overall survival in NSCLC patients. In vitro study, miR-519a significantly inhibited the proliferation, migration, and invasion of NSCLC cells. STAT3 was proved to be the target gene of miR-519a. CONCLUSIONS: MiR-519a functions as a tumor suppressor and inhibits tumor progression of NSCLC via targeting STAT3. MiR-519a may act as a prognostic biomarker and therapeutic target for NSCLC.

Keywords: MicroRNA-519a, prognosis, progression, non-small cell lung cancer

DOI: 10.3233/CBM-190672

Journal: Cancer Biomarkers, vol. 28, no. 1, pp. 121-128, 2020