Overexpression of serum MicroRNA-140-3p in premenopausal women with newly diagnosed breast cancer.

AIMS: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate microRNA-140-3p expression level in breast cancer patients in comparison to healthy controls.

PATIENTS & METHODS: Serum microRNA-140-3p level was quantified by realtime quantitative reverse transcription PCR in 40 women with breast cancer and 40 healthy subjects.

RESULTS: Serum microRNA-140-3p level in patients compared to healthy subjects was significantly up-regulated (P = 0.01). MicroRNA-140-3p had a good diagnostic accuracy for discrimination of the two groups (AUC = 0.667; sensitivity = 70%; specificity = 50%). Serum microRNA-140-3p level was overexpressed in premenopausal patients who were ≤48 years old. ROC curve showed a similar pattern again (AUC = 0.690; sensitivity = 73%; specificity = 50%).

CONCLUSIONS: microRNA-140-3p has the potential for detection of breast cancer, especially in premenopausal and in ≤48 years old women.