Development of a Diagnostic Tool for Detecting Microrna Dysregulation in Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Abstract

Head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) rank as the sixth most prevalent newlinecancer globally and is frequently diagnosed in advanced stages, leading to substantial newlinemortality and morbidity. The conventional diagnostic methods for HNSCC, such as newlineendoscopy, CT scans, tissue biopsies, and magnetic resonance imaging, have limitations newlinein detecting cancer at advanced stages. These imaging techniques may not accurately newlinegauge the severity of carcinoma and often pose challenges in terms of sensitivity, newlinespecificity, and cost-effectiveness. Given the current knowledge and demand, there is a newlinepressing need for the development of cost-effective, robust, and convenient newlinetechnologies to replace existing point-of-care testing (POCT) procedures. newlineMolecular biomarkers present a promising alternative, particularly the utilization of newlinemicroRNAs (miRNAs). These belong to the extensively studied family of small noncoding newlineRNAs (ncRNAs) known to play crucial roles in regulating various newlinepathophysiological conditions, including cancer. Salivary exosomal microRNAs have newlinerecently emerged as a promising molecular tool for the early detection of HNSCC, newlineoffering a non-invasive diagnostic approach. Exosomes, nanovesicles derived from newlinecells, contain a repertoire of dysregulated miRNAs that hold potential for clinical newlinediagnosis. This study employed anti-exosomal surface tetraspanin (CD9, CD63, and newlineCD81) antibodies produced using two methods: one involving the selection of a short newlineamino acid antigenic region from each tetraspanin, constructed as a multiple antigenic newlinepeptide (MAP), and the other method selecting the entire extracellular region and newlinelinking it through a linker. Comparative analysis of their efficiency in detecting newlineexosomes using Sandwich ELISA in various biological fluids revealed that antibodies newlineagainst the whole sequence provided 2-4-fold higher efficiency. newline