Microvesicle-associated microRNAs as new potential biomarkers for risk prediction and early diagnosis of glioblastoma recurrence

Project acronym: MICROGLIO

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Project code: PN-III-P1-1.1-PD-2019-0283 

 

Contract number: PD 155/2020

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Project Leader: Natalia Simionescu, PhD (natalia.simionescu@gmail.com)

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Mentor: Adriana Georgescu, PhD Habil. (adriana.georgescu@icbp.ro)

 

Host Institution: “Prof. Dr. Nicolae Oblu” Emergency Clinical Hospital, Iasi, Romania

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Funding agency: UEFISCDI - Executive Unit for the Financing of Higher Education, Research, Development and Innovation 

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          Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most aggressive form of brain cancer in adults, characterized by poor survival, lack of effective therapies and high recurrence rates. Despite ongoing efforts, minimal advances have been made in the early detection of GBM recurrence. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small, single-stranded, non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally and are known to be involved in various types of cancer. Circulating miRNA profiles reflect modified tissue expression and they are able to cross the blood-brain barrier in pathological states, thus supporting their potential use as biomarkers for brain tumors. Microvesicles (MVs) are extracellular vesicles (100-1000 nm) that contain disease- and tissue-specific cargo, including miRNAs, and have been shown to promote horizontal malignancy into adjacent tissue.
         
          This project aimed to validate miRNAs contained within plasma MVs as biomarkers that could complement the clinical and imagistic diagnosis of GBM recurrence. Successful implementation of the project identified new parameters with potential applications in clinical practice for early diagnosis of GBM relapse. The use of these parameters could potentially lead to improved diagnostic techniques that will reduce healthcare costs, lessen the burden on patients’ families and improve survival and quality of life for GBM patients.

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