Circulating miR-210 and miR-23b in bladder Cancer

Purpose: This study is aimed to assess the serum expression levels of miR-210 and microRNA-23b (miR-23b) in bladder cancer (BC) patients to evaluate their potential as noninvasive biomarkers. Materials and Methods: This study included 93 subjects divided into the following three groups: Group Ia, 31 patients newly diagnosed with BC; Group Ib, Group Ia patients 6 months after medical and/or surgical treatment; and Group II, 31 healthy controls. The gene expressions of miR-210 and miR-23b were determined using quantitative SYBR Green reverse transcription real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: The expression of miR-210 was significantly higher in BC patients compared to the controls (P = 0.012), while miR-23b did not show any difference. miR-210 expression in BC patients did not differ before and after treatment (P = 0.89). Area under the curve of the receiver operating characteristic analysis for miR-210 in distinguishing BC from controls was 0.686 (95% confidence interval, 0.553-0.818) with 71% sensitivity and 61% specificity. Conclusion: miR-210 can serve as a noninvasive diagnostic marker for BC; however, it cannot be used during treatment follow-up. miR-23b cannot be used as a diagnostic nor prognostic marker for BC.