The Institute of Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology for Postgraduate Studies at the University of Baghdad discussed the doctoral dissertation of the student Hanan Jawad Naif, titled:
“The Role of miRNA-373 and miRNA-425 and the Polymorphism of the RETN Gene in Breast Cancer Patients,” under the supervision of Assistant Professor Dr. Ismail Hussein Aziz.
The study aimed to evaluate the gene expression levels of microRNA-373 and microRNA-425 in Iraqi women with breast cancer and investigate the relationship between breast cancer and the genetic polymorphism of the RETN gene in Iraqi patients. Additionally, the study measured the concentration of Resistin (RETN) and Carcinoembryonic Antigen (CEA) using ELISA technology in breast cancer patients.
The study showed that the serum levels of CEA, RETN, miRNA-373, and miRNA-425 were significantly higher in breast cancer patients compared to the control group (p < 0.001). CEA threshold value: >35.71 pg/mL with an accuracy of 76.2%, sensitivity of 69.7%, and specificity of 79.2% and RETN threshold value: >0.41 ng/mL with an accuracy of 74.2%, sensitivity of 89.9%, and specificity of 51.5%.
The study concluded that miR-373 and miR-425 could serve as potential biomarkers for the early diagnosis of breast cancer, with predictive and therapeutic implications. Serum levels of CEA and RETN could also aid in breast cancer diagnosis, and using a combination of these markers could enhance diagnostic accuracy. The RETN (rs10401670 T/C) polymorphism was found to have a significant impact on breast cancer risk. and other SNPs, such as rs3745369 G/C, rs368504053 T/C, and rs74489689 A/G, showed no significant correlation with breast cancer.
The study recommended using CEA, RETN, miR-373, and miR-425 in early breast cancer diagnosis to improve fine-needle aspiration guidance and radiological examinations, reducing the need for surgical biopsy.
- The RETN (rs10401670 T/C) SNP could contribute to molecular classification of breast cancer subtypes.
- The predictive role of CEA, RETN, miR-373, and miR-425 should be explored further to assess treatment response, potentially serving as an alternative to positron emission tomography (PET) imaging.
- Measuring CEA, RETN, miR-373, miR-425 levels and identifying the RETN (rs10401670 T/C) polymorphism in national screening programs could help identify women at risk of developing breast cancer, facilitating early monitoring and intervention.
