MicroRNA-based risk scoring system to identify early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma patients at high-risk for cancer-specific mortality

Angela J. Yoon, Shuang Wang, David I. Kutler, Richard D. Carvajal, Elizabeth Philipone, Tian Wang, Scott M. Peters, Dominic LaRoche, Brenda Y. Hernandez, Bradley D. McDowell, Claire R. Stewart, Fatemeh Momen-Heravi, Regina M. Santella

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

37 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background: For early-stage oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC), there is no existing risk-stratification modality beyond conventional TNM staging system to identify patients at high risk for cancer-specific mortality. Methods: A total of 568 early-stage OSCC patients who had surgery only and also with available 5-year clinical outcomes data were identified. Signature microRNAs (miRNAs) were discovered using deep sequencing analysis and validated by qRT-PCR. The final 5-plex prognostic marker panel was utilized to generate a cancer-specific mortality risk score using the multivariate Cox regression analyses. The prognostic markers were validated in the internal and external validation cohorts. Results: The risk score from the 5-plex marker panel consisting of miRNAs-127-3p, 4736, 655-3p, TNM stage and histologic grading stratified patients into four risk categories. Compared to the low-risk group, the high-risk group had 23-fold increased mortality risk (hazard ratio 23, 95% confidence interval 13-42), with a median time-to-recurrence of 6 months and time-to-death of 11 months (vs >60 months for each among low-risk patient; p <.001). Conclusion: The miRNA-based 5-plex marker panel driven mortality risk score formula provides clinically practical and reliable measures to assess the prognosis of patients assigned to an early-stage OSCC.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)1699-1712
Number of pages14
JournalHead and Neck
Volume42
Issue number8
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Aug 1 2020

Bibliographical note

Publisher Copyright:
© 2020 The Authors. Head & Neck published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Funding

This work was supported by the NIH/NIDCR R01DE026801 (A. Y.), the NIH/NIEHS P30ES009089 and the NIH/NCI P30CA013696 (Columbia University), the Translational Research Program at WCMC Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, the NIH/NCI P30CA086862 (University of Iowa), and the NIH/NCI P30CA071789 (University of Hawaii Cancer Center). We thank Qiao Wang for technical assistance.

FundersFunder number
NIH/NCI
NIH/NIDCR
NIH/NIEHS
National Institutes of Health
National Cancer InstituteP30CA071789, P30CA086862, P30CA013696, R50CA243692
National Institute of Environmental Health SciencesP30ES009089
National Institute of Dental and Craniofacial ResearchR01DE026801

    ASJC Scopus Subject Areas

    • Otorhinolaryngology

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