Serum Level of microRNA-375-3p Is Not a Reliable Biomarker of Teratoma

Clinical management of testicular germ cell tumours (GCT) is based upon the measurement of serum tumour markers. Recent studies have shown that the microRNA-371a-3p is a sensitive and specific serum biomarker for all subgroups of GCT, except teratoma. To close the diagnostic gap relating to teratoma, serum levels of microRNA-375-3p have recently been suggested to represent a specific serum marker of this histological subgroup. In the present study, we tested this hypothesis. miRNA expression was analysed in serum of 21 GCT patients with teratoma, twelve patients with other GCT, and twelve male controls using the qPCR method. The serum miR-375-3p levels of teratoma patients were not different from other GCT patients or controls. The ROC analysis revealed an AUC of 0.524 for the discrimination between teratoma and other pathologies. The miR-375-3p does probably not qualify for a useful serum biomarker to distinguish teratoma from other GCTs and from controls.