Abstract 5292: MicroRNA signatures predictive of response to chemotherapy in mCRC

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are post-transcriptional regulators involved in numerous biological and pathological processes including colorectal cancer (CRC). From a clinical perspective, several studies have identified groups of miRNAs with potential utility for early diagnosis or prognostic stratification of CRC patients. However, very few have evaluated the potential ability of miRNA to predict response to selected chemotherapy regimens. The aim of our study was to evaluate the ability of miRNA expression patterns to predict chemotherapy response in a cohort of 78 patients with metastatic CRC (mCRC). We examined tumor expression levels of 667 miRNAs in the training cohort by TaqMan Low Density Arrays (TLDA). In training cohort (N=39), we identified a miRNA molecular signature with significant association in relevant clinical endpoints (objective response, progression-free and overall survival). In validation cohort (N=39), we validated significantly higher expression levels of miR-107, and miR99a* according to objective response to fluoropyrimidine-based regimens. These results support a substantial role for miRNAs in determining drug response, and highlight their potential value as biomarkers for personalized treatment strategies and as a novel class of therapeutic targets. Citation Format: Sonia Molina-Pinelo, Amancio Carnero, Fernando Rivera, Purificacion Estevez-Garcia, Jose M. Bozada, Maria L. Limon, Javier Gomez, Maria D. Pastor, Rocio Suarez, Luis G. Paz-Ares, Fernando de la Portilla, Andres Carranza, Isabel Sevilla, Luis Vicioso, Rocio Garcia Carbonero. MicroRNA signatures predictive of response to chemotherapy in mCRC. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 5292. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-5292