Plasma microRNA Profiling as First Line Screening Test for Lung Cancer Detection: a Prospective Study

In the present project we propose a large prospective study in heavy smokers volunteers based on plasma miRNA profiling to assess its efficacy as a first line screening test for lung cancer detection. The study will be articulated in different phases: i) analysis of 1000 plasma samples of disease-free smokers already collected in our biological repository in the last two years ii) de-novo enrollment of 4000 smoking volunteers, collection of their blood samples and inclusion in a program of active surveillance on the basis of their miRNA risk profile iii) assessment of miRNA expression profile using a custom made microfluidic card containing the 24 miRNA previously identified in the diagnostic signatures iii) bioinformatic analyses of miRNA ratios in the cohort in order to determine which individuals are in presence or will develop lung cancer and in particular the aggressive form of the disease iv) assessment of the best diagnostic and treatment algorithm for subjects with suspicious miRNA profiles v) functional validation of miRNAs as novel therapeutic targets using novel cellular genetically engineered models of transformation and patients' tumorgrafts models.

Sex

All

Minimum age

50 Years

Maximum age

75 Years

Inclusion Criteria:

* current heavy smokers of ≥ 30 pack/years, aged 50-75, or former smokers with the same smoking habits having stopped from 10 years or less;
* current or former smokers of \< 30 pack/years, aged ≥ 50, with additional risk factors such as family history of lung cancer, prior diagnosis of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or pneumonia, professional exposure to known carcinogens (i.e. asbestos).

Exclusion Criteria:

* subjects with neoplasms within previous five years-
* subjects with suspected lung nodules under investigation

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• BACKGROUNDSozzi G, Boeri M, Rossi M, Verri C, Suatoni P, Bravi F, Roz L, Conte D, Grassi M, Sverzellati N, Marchiano A, Negri E, La Vecchia C, Pastorino U. Clinical utility of a plasma-based miRNA signature classifier within computed tomography lung cancer screening: a correlative MILD trial study. J Clin Oncol. 2014 Mar 10;32(8):768-73. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2013.50.4357. Epub 2014 Jan 13.