Li Meng, Zhaolong Ma, Yingying Ji, Guangyao Li, Shiwen Wang* and Zhijun Zhang Pages 1 - 16 ( 16 )
Purpose: Exosomal transfer RNA-derived fragments [exo-tRF] possess the capacity to be employed as biomarkers for several types of cancer. We aim to ascertain the diagnostic significance of exosomal 5’tRF-TyrGTA and 5’tRF-ValTAC in non-small cell lung cancer [NSCLC].
Methods: Ultracentrifugation was deployed to obtain serum exosomes from NSCLC patients and healthy donors. The acquired exosomes were then confirmed by transmission electron microscopy [TEM], qNano, and western blot [WB] techniques. The level of exo- tRF expression was validated by the use of microarrays and RT-qPCR. The diagnostic performance of exo-tRFs for NSCLC was determined through the receiver operating characteristic curve [ROC].
Results: Exosomal 5’tRF-TyrGTA and 5’tRF-ValTAC were significantly downregulated in both early- and late-stage NSCLC patients compared to healthy donors, representing favorable diagnostic efficiency for NSCLC. In addition, the exosomal 5’tRF-TyrGTA level was correlated with tumor stage and lymph node metastasis.
Conclusion: Exosomal 5’tRF-TyrGTA and 5’tRF-ValTAC can serve as potential biomarkers for NSCLC.
Non-small cell lung cancer, exosomes, tRFs, biomarker, diagnosis.