Cyclin dependent kinase inhibitor 2A and miR-671-5p expression profile in Iranian glioblastoma multiforme

Abstract Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most aggressive type of brain tumor which necessitates a search for biomarkers to provide targeted therapies. The dysfunction of microRNA (miRNA) is associated with tumorigenic processes. So, they may be used as potential biomarkers for cancer management. We aim to investigate the expression levels of Cyclin Dependent Kinase Inhibitor 2A (CDKN2A) and miR-671-5p in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded (FFPE) GBM compared to normal tissues. CDKN2A and miR-671-5p expression levels were evaluated using Real-time RT-PCR in 50 GBM and 50 normal FFPE tissue samples. Our data showed that CDKN2A significantly low expressed and miR-671-5p overexpressed in tumor tissues compared with normal. In addition, a significant negative correlation also found between these gene expressions. Our finding suggests that miR-671-5p may function as a potential oncomiR that directly targets CDKN2A in GBM. Moreover CDKN2A and miR-671-5p could be used as a discriminatory means to categorize subjects as healthy or patient. We observed a significant association between CDKN2A and miR-671-5p expression in GBM, which can be concluded that they have a promising potential to use as primary cancer biomarkers.