PROGNOSTIC RELEVANCE OF MIR-422A IN HEAD AND NECK SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

摘要

The present invention concerns the identification of new biomarkers in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Due to the diversity of HNSCC predicting the therapeutic response in patients is difficult. By initially studying a cohort off 75 stage III-IV oropharynx tumors, followed by the study of a larger cohort, the inventors identified miR-422a as a biomarker for negative outcome in HNSCC tumours. The inventors further identified the additional biomarker miR-21, which in combination with miR422a, further improves the predictive value of miR-422a. The present invention thus refers to a method of selecting a subject who suffers from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC), a method of determining the chance of relapse-free survival and a method for predicting a clinical outcome in response to a treatment of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) in a subject suffering from head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). The present invention further refers to a kit and a pharmaceutical composition comprising a miR-422a mimic reagent.