Can miRNA expression patterns predict radiotoxicity in patients with glioblastoma?

Abstract

Background: Standard treatment of the glioblastoma patients is implemented with Stupp’s protocol since 2005, but 2-years survival of the patients are still at low percentage. Even with implementation of modern radiotherapy techniques, acute radiotoxicity is still observed in these patients. Micro RNAs (miRNAs) expression patterns are introduced in recent years as factors that might predict survival in patients with glioblastoma, as well as cancer treatment related side effects. Material and methods: The data used in this review were conducted from research papers in PUBMED/MEDLINE databases with a special focus on role of miRNAs in cancer and with emphasis on brain tumors correlated to acute radiotoxicity. Results: Inflammation due to oxidative stress via free radicals is one of the mechanisms of radiation injury of irradiated cells and may correlate with toxicity. MiRNAs expression in prostate cancer patients may predict acute radiotoxicity, while miRNAs expression levels that could predict radiation toxicity in glioblastoma are still under investigation. However, it has been shown that miRNA levels like miR-16, miR 21, miR-19a and miR-22 are increased after radiation in glioma, while levels of miR-107, miR-181a are decreased. Conclusion: Recent studies have shown that miRNAs may have role as potent indicator of radiotoxicity in cancer patients. To date, there is no available data about acute brain radiotoxicity and its correlation with expression levels of mRNAs in patients with GB. There is a emerge need for further investigation on role of radioresponsive miRNAs in glioblastoma patients with acute radiotoxicity.