Reduced circulating microRNA-203 predicts poor prognosis for glioblastoma

BACKGROUND: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been demonstrated to play an important role in the development and progression of various types of cancer including glioblastoma (GBM). OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to investigate the expression pattern and prognostic significance of serum miR-203 in patients with GBM. METHODS: miR-203 extracted from cell culture medium and serum samples was detected by real-time PCR. The correlation between serum miR-203 expression as well as clinicopathological characteristics and patient survival was determined. RESULTS: The expression level of miR-203 was remarkably reduced in the GBM cells and their culture medium. Serum miR-203 expression was significantly decreased in GBM patients compared with low grade glioma (LGG) patients and healthy controls. In addition, serum miR-203 discriminated GBM patients from LGG patients and healthy subjects. Chi-squared analysis showed that a significant correlation was found between low serum miR-203 expression and larger tumor size as well as lower Karnofsky Performance Scale scores. Patients with lower serum miR-203 suffered poorer overall survival (OS) and progression free survival (PFS). Multivariate analysis indicated that low miR-203 expression is an independent prognostic factor for poor OS in GBM patients. CONCLUSIONS: These data demonstrate that serum miR-203 expression might serve as a potential prognostic indicator of GBM.