Decreased miR-198 expression and its prognostic significance in human gastric cancer (Publication with Expression of Concern)

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been proved to play important roles in the tumorigenesis and development of human gastric cancer (GC). Our study aims to investigate the expression and clinical significance of miR-198 in GC patients. Methods: Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to evaluate miR-198 levels in 106 pairs of GC specimens and adjacent noncancerous tissues. Then, the associations of miR-198 expression with clinicopathological factors and patient's survival were determined. Results: The expression levels of miR-198 in GC tissues were significantly lower than those in corresponding noncancerous tissues (p < 0.01). Decreased miR-198 expression was significantly associated with larger tumor size, deeper invasion depth, positive lymph node metastasis, advanced tumor-node-metastasis (TNM) stage, and shorter overall survival. Moreover, multivariate regression analysis identified low miR-198 expression as an independent predictor of poor survival. Conclusions: These findings suggested that miR-198 downregulation may be associated with progression of GC and that this miR may be an independent prognostic marker for GC patients.