Prognostic Role of miR-205 in Early-Stage (T1N0) Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

Background: Published data have shown that microRNAs (miRNAs) could play a potential role as diagnostic and prognostic indicators in cancers. Data for the predictive value of miRNA let-7, miR-21, and miR-205 are inconclusive. The aim of the present analysis was therefore to evaluate the expression and the prognostic role of the above mentioned miRNAs in early-stage (T1N0) NSCLC patients. Methods: Quantification of let-7g, miR-21, and miR-205 expression was carried out into 105 early-stage NSCLC by quantitative Real Time-PCR (qRT-PCR). Results: a significant association between the low miR-205 expression and ADC histotype (p < 0.0001) compared to SCC was found; moreover, survival analysis showed thattumors with a high miR-205 expression had a significantly shorter mean PFS and OS compared to the patients with a low expression of this miRNA (p = 0.02 and p = 0.03, respectively). No other statistically significant correlations were observed between the analysed miRNAs and the main clinico-pathological characteristics of the NSCLC patients. Conclusion: The results indicated that miR-205 could represent a useful marker in the prognostic management of the early-stage (T1N0) NSCLC patients.