A microRNA-based prediction algorithm for diagnosis of non-small lung cell carcinoma in minimal biopsy material

Background: Diagnosis is jeopardised when limited biopsy material is available or histological quality compromised. Here we developed and validated a prediction algorithm based on microRNA (miRNA) expression that can assist clinical diagnosis of lung cancer in minimal biopsy material to improve clinical management. Methods: Discovery utilised Taqman Low Density Arrays (754 miRNAs) in 20 non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) tumour/normal pairs. In an independent set of 40 NSCLC patients, 28 miRNA targets were validated using qRT–PCR. A prediction algorithm based on eight miRNA targets was validated blindly in a third independent set of 47 NSCLC patients. The panel was also tested in formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) specimens from 20 NSCLC patients. The genomic methylation status of highly deregulated miRNAs was investigated by pyrosequencing. Results: In the final, frozen validation set the panel had very high sensitivity (97.5%), specificity (96.3%) and ROC-AUC (0.99, P=10−15). The panel provided 100% sensitivity and 95% specificity in FFPE tissue (ROC-AUC=0.97 (P=10−6)). DNA methylation abnormalities contribute little to the deregulation of the miRNAs tested. Conclusion: The developed prediction algorithm is a valuable potential biomarker for assisting lung cancer diagnosis in minimal biopsy material. A prospective validation is required to measure the enhancement of diagnostic accuracy of our current clinical practice.