Clinical evaluation of circulating miR-548a-3p and -20a expression in malignant pleural mesothelioma patients

Aim: miRNAs may act as promising diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers of mesothelioma. This study integrates serum  miR-548a-3p and miR-20a expression based on in silico data analysis followed by clinical validation in malignant mesothelioma patients (malignant pleural mesothelioma [MPM]). Patients & methods: Serum miR-548a-3p and  miR-20a level was assessed in the serum of patients with MPM, chronic asbestos exposure and healthy volunteers by quantitative real-time PCR. Results: The expression of serum miR-548a-3p and  miR-20a was positive in 91.6 and 96.7% MPM patients, respectively. Both miRNAs were able to segregate between cases and controls. The sensitivity of the combined chosen serum miRNAs reached 100% in the diagnosis of MPM. Conclusion: The current work revealed that sera miR-548a-3p and miR-20a may serve as promising novel diagnostic tools for MPM.