MiRNA as promising theragnostic biomarkers for predicting radioresistance in cancer: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. (January 2021)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Mohammadi, Chiman; Gholamzadeh Khoei, Saeideh; Fayazi, Nashmin; Mohammadi, Younes; Najafi, Rezvan
• Is Part Of: Critical reviews in oncology/hematology. Volume 157(2021)
• Publication Date: 2021-01
• Subjects: Cancer -- Radioresistance -- miRNAs -- Systematic review -- Meta-analysis; Oncology -- Periodicals; Hematology -- Periodicals; 616.994
• DOI: 10.1016/j.critrevonc.2020.103183
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1040-8428

Abstract

Graphical abstract: Highlights: Radiotherapy is a standard treatment modality for curing a wide range of malignancies. In spite of the improvement of therapeutic techniques, radioresistance remains a major barrier to effective therapy. Ionizing radiation modulates miRNA expression by inducing some miRNAs and repressing others. miRNAs either contribute to or suppress the radioresistance through inhibiting the expression of tumor suppressors or oncogenes, respectively. miRNAs could be effective biomarkers to predict radiotherapy response. Abstract: Radioresistance remains as an obstacle in cancer treatment. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the association between the expression of miRNAs and responses to radiotherapy and the prognosis of different tumors. In total, 77 miRNAs in 19 cancer types were studied, in which 24 miRNAs were upregulated and 58 miRNAs were downregulated in cancer patients. Five miRNAs were differentially expressed. Moreover, 75 miRNAs were found to be related to radioresistance, while 5 were observed to be related to radiosensitivity. The pooled HR and 95 % confidence interval for the combined studies was 1.135 (0.819–1.574; P-value = 0.4). The HR values of the subgroup analysis for miR-21 (HR = 2.344; 95 % CI: 1.927–2.850; P-value = 0.000), nasopharyngeal carcinoma (HR = 0.448; 95 % CI: 0.265–0.760; P = 0.003) and breast cancer (HR = 1.131; 95 % CI: 0.311–4.109; P = .85) were obtained. Our results highlighted that across the published literature, miRNAs can modulate tumor radioresistance or sensitivity by affecting radiation-related signaling pathways. It seems that miRNAs could be considered as a theragnostic biomarker to predict and monitor clinical response to radiotherapy. Thus, the prediction of radioresistance in malignant patients will improve radiotherapy outcomes and radiotherapeutic resistance.