Abstract

Background: A novel multi-gene detection platform, PanelChip^TM Analysis System, was developed for the analysis of microRNA levels in the blood. This novel platform has been successfully used to screen for potential diagnostic biomarkers in the plasma of patients with solid malignancy. Because microRNA deregulation has been proposed to play roles in the pathogenesis and disease phenotype in essential thrombocythemia (ET), we aimed to investigate the plasma microRNA profiles in ET patients using this novel platform with a focus on elderly patients.

Materials and methods: Fifty-four ET patients and 8 healthy adults were enrolled. Plasma microRNA profiling was carried out on PanelChip^TM Analysis System using a customized microRNA panel including 165 microRNAs called mirSCANTM PanCancer Chips 1 & 2. KEGG pathways that microRNAs were associated with were analyzed using DIANA TOOLS - mirPath v.3.

Results: Elderly ET patients had significantly higher white blood cell count at diagnosis, and had significantly inferior overall survival compared with young patients (median, 8.7 years vs. not reach, respectively, p = 0.008). Four miRNAs (miR-451a, miR-486-5p, miR-224-5p and miR-34a-5p) had significantly higher and 1 miRNA (miR-760) had significantly lower expression levels in elderly ET patients, respectively. A total of 40 differentially expressed microRNAs were identified. The putative target genes of these 40 differentially expressed microRNAs were enriched in PI3K-Akt, Ras, and Rap1 signaling pathway.

Conclusion: The use of PanelChip^TM platform was feasible and distinct plasma microRNA profiles correlated with age and genotypes in ET patients. A larger study iswarranted to validate our observation in ET patients.