MicroRNA-27a acts as a novel biomarker in the diagnosis of patients with laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Increased evidences suggest that the microRNA-23a/24-2/27a (miR-23a/24-2/27a) cluster may play a crucial role in carcinogenesis and act as a novel oncogene. Among these members, miR-27a has been reported to promote proliferation and suppresses apoptosis in laryngeal carcinoma Hep2 cell lines. In this study, we examined the serum expression of miR-27a and its clinical significance in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients. Methods: Serum miR-27a expression in 107 patients with LSCC and 104 healthy volunteers were detected using reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Then the relationship between its expression and clinical factors was analyzed. Finally, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established to estimate the diagnostic value of miR-27a in LSCC. Results: Serum miR-27a expression was higher in LSCC patients than in healthy volunteers (P<0.05). And the high miR-27a expression was significantly associated with clinical stage (P=0.036). However, there was no association between miR-27a expression and patients' age, gender, tumor site, cell differentiation, T classification and N classification (P>0.05). An AUC of 0.914 corresponding with a sensitivity of 86.0% and a specificity of 85.6% were obtained according to ROC curve. Besides, the optimal cutoff value was 3.155. These revealed miR-27a played an important role in the diagnosis of LSCC. Conclusion: Serum miR-27a expression was increased in LSCC patients compared to healthy controls. Moreover, it could be a potential diagnostic marker in LSCC.