MicroRNA-182-5p and microRNA-205-5p as potential biomarkers for further prognostic stratification of p16-positive oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

Background: Non-coding microRNAs (miR) regulate gene expression on post transcriptional level and open new perspectives of prognostic stratification as potential biomarkers of head and neck cancer. The aim was to investigate diagnostic and prognostic implications of miR-182-5p and miR-205-5p in oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (OPSCCs).

Methods miR-182-5p and miR-205-5p expression was assessed by quantitative real-time PCR in tumor (26 p16-positive, 19 p16-negative OPSCCs) and HPV-negative oropharyngeal control tissue (n=18) and analyzed in the context of clinicopathologic features and prognosis.

Results miR-205-5p expression was much higher in tumor than in control tissue (total: RFC=1.93 p=0.02; p16-negative: RFC=2.07 p=0.03; p16-positive: RFC=1.84 p=0.06). The expression of both microRNAs was independent of clinicopathological characteristics in the p16-stratified subgroups (Pearson’s chi-squared test p≥0.05 in each case). Higher miR-182-5p expression was associated with lower disease-specific survival in p16-positive OPSCCs (HR=1.98E+09 95%-CI=0-Inf p=0.028), and demonstrated a similar trend in p16-negative OPSCCs (HR=1.56E+09 95%-CI=0-Inf p=0.051). Higher miR-205-5p expression in p16-positive OPSCCs was associated with lower progression-free survival (HR=4.62 95%-CI=0.98-21.83 p=0.034) and an inferior local control rate (HR=2.18E+09 95%-CI=0-Inf p=0.048).

Conclusion Expression analysis of miR-182-5p and miR-205-5p allow further prognostic stratification of patients with p16-positive OPSCC. This could aid the development of more personalized treatment strategies.

Conflict of Interest

The author declares that there is no conflict of interest.

Publication History

Article published online:
24 May 2022