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Role of exosomal miRNA-19a/19b and PTEN in brain tumor diagnosis

    Nida Sarosh Ashraf

    Department of Biosciences, Cancer Genetics & Epigenetics Research Group, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan

    ,
    Ishrat Mahjabeen

    *Author for correspondence:

    E-mail Address: ishrat.mahjabeen@comsats.edu.pk

    Department of Biosciences, Cancer Genetics & Epigenetics Research Group, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan

    ,
    Muhammad Zahid Hussain

    Department of Rheumatology, National University of Medical Sciences, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

    ,
    Muhammad Rizwan

    Department of Biosciences, Cancer Genetics & Epigenetics Research Group, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan

    ,
    Maryam Arshad

    Department of Biosciences, Cancer Genetics & Epigenetics Research Group, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan

    ,
    Azhar Mehmood

    Department of Biosciences, Cancer Genetics & Epigenetics Research Group, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan

    ,
    Muhammad Shahbaz Haris

    Department of Biosciences, Cancer Genetics & Epigenetics Research Group, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan

    &
    Mahmood Akhtar Kayani

    Department of Biosciences, Cancer Genetics & Epigenetics Research Group, COMSATS University Islamabad, Pakistan

    Published Online:https://doi.org/10.2217/fon-2023-0234

    Aim: The current study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic significance of the exosomal miRNAs miR-19a and miR-19b and the PTEN gene in brain tumor patients versus controls. Methods: Exosomes were extracted from the serum samples of 400 brain tumor patients and 400 healthy controls. The exosomes were characterized by scanning electron microscopy, dynamic light scattering and ELISA. Quantitative PCR was used to analyze selected exosome miRNAs and gene expression levels. Results: Analysis showed significant deregulated expression of miR-19a (p < 0.0001), miR-19b (p < 0.0001) and PTEN (p < 0.001) in patients versus controls. Spearman correlation showed a significant correlation among the selected exosomal miRNAs and the PTEN gene. Conclusion: Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed the good diagnostic value of exosomal miRNAs and the PTEN gene in brain tumor patients.

    Papers of special note have been highlighted as: • of interest; •• of considerable interest

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