Circulating miR-20a and miR-26a as Biomarkers in Prostate Cancer

Objective: Circulating microRNAs (miRNAs), present in body fluids, have been considering importance as cancer biomarkers. The primary aim of this study was to assess whether circulatory miR-20a and miR-26a can be used as diagnostic biomarkers in prostate cancer (PCa). Methods: Relative expression miR-20a and miR-26a has been assessed in 40 patients with PCa and 40 non-cancerous volunteer. Sample Collection of patients was performed before and one week after prostatectomy. Total RNA was extracted from serum and miR-20a and miR-26a expressions were quantified by using Real-Time PCR method. Results: miR-20a was significantly up-regulated in pre-operation serum samples of PCa patients compared to the serum samples of non-cancerous controls, however, in post-operation samples no significant differences was showed. miR-26a level was not significantly decreased in pre and post-operation serum samples compared to the serum samples of controls. However, the expression level ratios of both miR-20a and miR-26a were insignificantly decreased when post-operation serum samples compared to pre-operation ones. Conclusion: Decrement of circulating miR-20a and miR-26a in patients after surgery may reflect the tumoral origin of those microRNAs and the results may use for tumor remnant monitoring after prostatectomy.