Aberrant Expression of Circulating MicroRNA-373 and MicroRNA-660 as Biomarkers for Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in Egyptian Females

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer (BC) is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in women worldwide. Early detection significantly improves outcomes, yet current diagnostic methods, such as mammography and biopsy, have limitations, particularly in detecting early-stage disease. Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as promising non-invasive biomarkers for cancer detection. Objective: This study aims to evaluate the expression of serum miR-373 and miR-660-5p in breast cancer patients and their association with clinicopathological parameters. Methodology: This is a case-control study was conducted on 25 breast cancer patients and 25 age-matched healthy controls. Serum miRNA-373 and miRNA-660-5p levels were measured using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Clinical and pathological data, including tumor stage, histological type, and molecular markers, were collected. Statistical analysis was performed to assess the differences in miRNA expression and their correlations with clinicopathological parameters. Results: Breast cancer patients exhibited significantly higher serum levels of miR-373 and miR-660-5p compared to controls (p < 0.001 and p = 0.030, respectively). MiR-373 expression was significantly associated with advanced tumor stages and nodal involvement (p = 0.008). However, miR-660-5p showed no significant correlation with clinicopathological features. The combined use of miR-373 and miR-660-5p improved diagnostic accuracy, with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.859. Conclusion: Serum miR-373 and miR-660-5p are potential non-invasive biomarkers for breast cancer detection. MiR-373, in particular, shows promise in identifying advanced disease stages. Combining these miRNAs enhances diagnostic accuracy, offering a potential tool for early breast cancer diagnosis.