Expression of serum microRNA-378 and its clinical significance in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma

OBJECTIVE: Studies have demonstrated that miRNA - 378 expressed in various malignant tumors. In the present study, we aim to explore the expression of serum miRNA-378 and its clinical significance in laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma (LSCC) patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A total of 127 LSCC patients, 127 vocal cord polyp (VCP) and 130 healthy controls were selected. RESULTS: The miRNA-378 level in LSCC and VCP group was significantly higher compared to healthy control, and LSCC group has the highest miRNA-378 level. The miRNA-378 level was both decreased significantly in LSCC and VCP group when compared with the same group after surgery. When compared with healthy control, VCP group has a higher miRNA-378 level but has no statistical difference (p>0.05) while LSCC group has a statistical difference (p<0.05) higher miRNA-378 compare with healthy control. The miRNA-378 expression is correlated with clinical stage and differentiation degree, but did not correlate with patient's age, gender distribution, operation mode, and tumor diameter. The AUC of miRNA-378 was 0.888, 95% confidence interval was 0.849 to 0.929, and AUC hypothesis testing was statistically significant (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: miRNA-378 could be used in the diagnosis and the prediction of the postoperative curative effect of laryngeal cancer (LSCC).