Abstract
BACKGROUND:
The authors are interested in identifying molecular markers that can aid in the diagnosis of adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC). The aim of this study was to identify microRNAs (miRNAs or miRs) that are differentially expressed in malignant adrenocortical tumors as compared with benign tumors and assess their potential as diagnostic predictors.
METHODS:
Differentially expressed miRNAs were identified using microarray profiling of adrenocortical tumors and validated by quantitative realโtime RTโPCR.
RESULTS:
Microarray profiling in benign and primary malignant adrenocortical tumors revealed several significant differences between these histological groups. By using directed quantitative RTโPCR analysis on a subset of these differentially expressed miRNAs, the authors determined that miRs โ100, โ125b, and โ195 were significantly downโregulated, whereas miRโ483โ5p was significantly upโregulated in malignant as compared with benign tumors. Furthermore, the current study shows that miRโ483โ5p expression can accurately categorize tumors as benign or malignant.
CONCLUSIONS:
The authors identified 4 miRNAs that are dysregulated in adrenocortical carcinoma. The high expression of one of these, miRโ483โ5p, appears to be a defining characteristic of adrenocortical malignancies, and can thus be used to accurately distinguish between benign and malignant adrenocortical tumors. Cancer 2011. ยฉ 2010 American Cancer Society.