Summary of results
The project aimed to identify new biomarkers that complement the clinical and imagistic diagnosis of glioblastoma (GBM) relapse and to assess the risk of recurrence using selected microRNAs (miRNAs) in correlation with disease severity, treatment and survival.
The main results obtained in this study are:
Patients enrolled in the study had the Classical molecular GBM subtype, characterized by good response to aggressive treatment, but short survival.
Pre-op GBM patients have more circulating microvesicles (MVs) compared to Post-op and Control, and GBM-specific markers’ (EGFR, EGFRvIII, EpCAM) expression is increased in Pre-op GBM patients and decreases post-op.
MiRNA profiling in circulating MVs identified potential candidates for the miRNA signature. The GBM-specific MV-associated miRNA signature was confirmed, comprised of 4 selected miRNAs with specifically modified levels in GBM.
Statistical analysis showed correlations between [GBM relapse, tumor presence, patients’ survival] AND [MV characteristics, MV levels of selected miRNAs].
In conclusion, MV characteristics and miR-625-5p levels in MV have biomarker potential for GBM recurrence, but further studies are needed to investigate the molecular mechanisms involved.
Through the successful implementation of this project, we identified new parameters with potential applications in clinical practice for early diagnosis of GBM relapse. Also, these parameters could lead to the development of more sensitive diagnostic techniques which will reduce medical costs and socio-economic impact on patients’ families and improve patients’ survival and quality of life.
Publications
Simionescu, N.; Zonda, R.; Petrovici, A.R.; Georgescu, A. The Multifaceted Role of Extracellular Vesicles in Glioblastoma: microRNA Nanocarriers for Disease Progression and Gene Therapy. Pharmaceutics, Special Issue Nanocarriers for Drug Delivery and/or Gene Therapy in Cancer, 2021, 13, 988. IF 2021 = 6.525. https://doi.org/10.3390/pharmaceutics13070988 (2 citations - Scopus, 1 citation - Web of Science)
Simionescu, N.; Nemecz, M.; Petrovici, A.-R.; Nechifor, I.S.; Buga, R.-C.; Dabija, M.G.; Eva, L.; Georgescu, A. Microvesicles and Microvesicle-Associated microRNAs Reflect Glioblastoma Regression: Microvesicle-Associated miR-625-5p Has Biomarker Potential. International Journal of Molecular Sciences, Special Issue Molecular Biology of RNA: Recent Progress, 2022, 23, 8398. IF 2021 = 6.208. https://doi.org/10.3390/ijms23158398
Conferences
1. Simionescu N., Nechifor S., Buga R., Dabija M., Eva L., Petrovici A.R., Georgescu A.. Molecular subtypes of glioblastoma tumors in patients from the North East region of Romania. Oral communication (invited speaker) at the 3rd National Congres on Modern Neurosciences, Iasi, Romania, October 12th - 16th, 2021.
2. Simionescu N, Nechifor S, Buga R, Dabija M, Eva L, Zonda R, Petrovici AR, Georgescu A. Microvesicle-associated microRNA signature in glioblastoma: preliminary results from OpenArray profiling. Online poster at the International Conference under the aegis of the Romanian Academy: 42nd Anniversary Symposium of the Institute of Cellular Biology and Pathology “Nicolae Simionescu” held jointly with the 38th Annual Scientific Session of the Romanian Society for Cell Biology, hybrid event, Bucharest, Romania, November 4th – 6th, 2021.
3. Simionescu N, Petrovici AR, Nechifor S, Buga R, Dabija M, Eva L, Georgescu A. MicroRNAs in circulating microvesicles: new potential biomarkers for glioblastoma relapse. Online oral communication at the XXXIInd edition of the International Congress of “Apollonia” University of Iași: “By promoting excellence, we prepare the future”, Iasi, Romania, February 28th – March 2nd, 2022.