Positive prognostic impact of miR-210 in non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract Objectives miR-210 is an important regulator of the cellular response to hypoxia. Therefore, we aimed to explore the prognostic significance of miR-210 in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) patients with stage I-IIIA disease. Materials and methods In addition to clinicopathological and demograpic information, tumor tissues were collected and tissue micro arrays (TMAs) were constructed from 335 patients with stage I-IIIA NSCLC. Expression of miR-210 in cancer cells and stromal cells of the tumor was assessed by in situ hybridization. Results In univariate analyses, high cancer cell ( p  = 0.039) and high stromal cell expression ( p  = 0.008) of miR-210 were both significantly associated with an improved disease-spesific survival (DSS). High co-expression of miR-210 in cancer and stromal cells was also a positive prognostic factor for DSS ( p  = 0.010). In multivariate analysis, miR-210 in stromal cells ( p  = 0.011), and miR-210 co-expressed in cancer and stromal cells was an independent prognosticator for DSS ( p  = 0.011). Conclusions We show that miR-210 in stromal cells, and co-expressed in cancer cells and stromal cells mediates an independent prognostic impact. It is a candidate marker for prognostic stratification in NSCLC.