Abstract 3763: microRNAs associated with metastatic potential in salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma

Abstract Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (MEC) is the most common malignant tumor of the salivary glands. Metastatic spread occurs in up to 80% of high-grade tumors and it is a strong predictor of poor outcome, however, the mechanisms underlying this process are largely unknown. Large-scale microRNA expression profiling studies of human cancers have demonstrated that dysregulation of miRNA is frequently associated with many cancer types. The aim of this study was to investigate the microRNA profile in metastatic versus non-metastatic MECs. Using Real Time RT-PCR (qPCR) we have analyzed the expression of 384 miRNAs and controls in 4 non-metastatic MECs, 3 MECs with lymph node metastasis, 3 MECs with distant metastasis, and 2 non-neoplastic human salivary gland samples. The microRNA profile was able to discriminate between non-neoplastic and tumor samples and between metastatic and non-metastatic tumors. Considering non-neoplastic samples and non-metastatic MECs, 12 microRNAs were differentially expressed. The non-neoplastic versus lymph node metastasis MEC analysis demonstrated that 10 microRNAs were differentially expressed. Considering non-neoplastic versus distant metastasis MECs, 3 microRNAs were differentially expressed: 1 down-regulated and 2 up-regulated. Comparing non-metastatic MECs versus lymph node metastasis MECs we observed 17 up-regulated microRNAs. Considering non-metastatic MECs versus distant metastasis MECs, 2 microRNAs were up-regulated. One microRNA is differentially expressed between lymph node metastasis MECs and distant metastasis MECs. Our results suggest that microRNA profiles could discriminate the metastatic potential of salivary MECs and might be helpful in diagnostic and prognostic evaluation of patients. Citation Format: Maria Eduarda S. Trevizani, Katia K. Oliveira, Fabio A. Marchi, Daniela Bizinelli, Fernanda V. Mariano, Cibele P. Nagano, Felipe A. Costa, Clóvis A. Pinto, Luiz P. Kowalski, Silvia V. Lourenço, Cláudia M. Coutinho-Camillo. microRNAs associated with metastatic potential in salivary gland mucoepidermoid carcinoma. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2023; Part 1 (Regular and Invited Abstracts); 2023 Apr 14-19; Orlando, FL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2023;83(7_Suppl):Abstract nr 3763.