Increased Plasma miRNA-30a as a Biomarker for Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

BACKGROUND MicroRNA (miRNA) is a small, non-coding RNA molecule which plays a role in the carcinogenesis and progression of cancers. Abnormal expression of miRNA in plasma has been found in some patients with malignant tumors. MATERIAL AND METHODS This study was conducted to investigate the expression of miRNA-30a in plasma of patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). The plasma miRNA-30a in 87 patients with NSCLC, 20 patients with benign lung diseases, and 76 healthy subjects were measured by real-time PCR. The diagnostic value of miRNA-30a in NSCLC was evaluated via the ROC curve method. RESULTS Plasma miRNA-30a level was significantly higher in the NSCLC group compared with benign control and healthy control groups (P