Circulating mRNA Expression of VEGF, PTEN, and SOCS1 as Potential Prognostic Predictor for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Progression

Sulistyo, Hidayat; Nusa, Arifah Pelangi; Poernomo, Megawati Al’badly Ponco Dewi; Rahman, Fakhry Muhammad Lutfi; Rahmatullah, Rafif; Pangestu, Thomas Adi; Afifah, Azizah Nur; Amania, Rhyceeva Ridzky; Huda, Muhammad Miftahul; Dharmawan, Anton Budhi; Sutono Islamanto, Sekti Joko; Mubarika, Sofia; Wardana, Tirta

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.9.2999

Circulating mRNA Expression of VEGF, PTEN, and SOCS1 as Potential Prognostic Predictor for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Progression

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Department of Pathology Anatomy, Faculty of Medicine, Jenderal Soedirman University, Purwokerto, Indonesia.

² Undergraduate Student, Faculty of Medicine, Jenderal Soedirman University, Purwokerto, Indonesia.

³ Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat [ENT], Faculty of Medicine, Jenderal Soedirman University, Purwokerto, Indonesia.

⁴ Department of Ear, Nose, and Throat [ENT], Margono Hospital, Purwokerto, Indonesia.

⁵ Department of Histology and Cell Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Public Health, and Nursing, Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia.

⁶ Department of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Jenderal Soedirman University, Purwokerto, Indonesia.

10.31557/APJCP.2024.25.9.2999

Abstract

Background: The molecular mechanisms underlying nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) progression remain poorly understood. In particular, the roles of circulating mRNAs encoding key regulatory proteins have yet to be explored. This study aimed to identify NPC-associated expression signatures of circulating VEGF, PTEN, and SOCS1 mRNAs and their potential as biomarkers. Methods: A case-control study was conducted comprising 160 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients and 80 controls, from whom peripheral blood samples. Total RNA was extracted and the levels of VEGF, PTEN, and SOCS1 mRNAs were quantified using reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR). Relative expression was calculated using the 2-ΔΔCt method. Bioinformatic analyses, including GeneMANIA, Gene Ontology (GO), and KEGG pathway analysis, were performed to predict the functional roles and interactions of these mRNAs. Results: We identified significantly increased circulating VEGF mRNA in lymph node metastases (1.66-fold, p<0.05) and elevated SOCS1 mRNA in late-stage NPC (20-fold, p<0.05). PTEN mRNA was reduced 4.26-fold in NPC patients. These data suggest that circulating VEGF, PTEN, and SOCS1 mRNAs represent signatures of NPC progression and can potentially be biomarkers. Network analyses implicate these mRNAs in mechanisms enabling NPC pathogenesis. Conclusions: Our study reveals NPC-associated expression changes of circulating VEGF, PTEN, and SOCS1 mRNAs. These molecular signatures may serve as biomarkers during NPC progression and provide insights into underlying mechanisms. Further validation of their utility as prognostic indicators of NPC is warranted.

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