The current management of
ependymoma is wrought with limitations. Molecular classification is a promising development.
MicroRNA (
miRNA) deregulation is associated with human
cancer and may be a means of molecular classification. The aim of our study is to investigate the association of
miRNA expression with the clinicopathologic characteristics of
ependymoma. Twenty-two samples were clinically annotated. Histologic features were reassessed and the expression of Ki-67,
cyclin D1, and
nestin was examined. The expression of 84 stem cell-related
miRNAs was profiled. The ΔΔCT method and a Student's t test were used to compute fold changes and P values, respectively. Our analysis revealed 24 statistically significant associations. We identified seven site-specific
miRNAs. The pattern of expression was variable in each anatomic site. In addition, we identified six candidate recurrence
biomarkers, all of which were overexpressed in recurrent cases. All three grade-related
miRNAs were underexpressed in anaplastic samples. Two
miRNAs each were underexpressed in samples immunoreactive to Ki-67 and
cyclin D1. No
miRNAs were differentially expressed between
nestin-negative and
nestin-positive samples. In conclusion, molecular alterations in
ependymoma involve
miRNAs. In our report, we review the level of evidence for the
biomarker candidacy of identified
miRNAs. Confirmatory studies are necessary to establish robust
biomarkers for the clinical management of
ependymoma.
Proteins regulated by differentially expressed
miRNAs are additional candidate
biomarkers and may offer targets for novel therapeutic interventions.