The diagnostic and prognostic value of exosomal microRNAs in lung cancer: a systematic review

Studies have shown that many exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) can be used as non-invasive biomarkers of lung cancer, but their diagnostic and prognostic values need to be further clarified.

We conducted a systematic literature search in Web of Science, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases, obtained relevant articles and extracted data, and used statistical methods and statistical software to comprehensively evaluate the diagnostic and prognostic value of exosomal miRNAs in lung cancer. Registration number: PROSPERO CRD42023447398.

In terms of diagnosis, two exosomal miRNAs (miR-486-5p and miR-451a) were reported with the highest frequency in lung cancer patients, both of which had good diagnostic value. Compared with the control group, the pooled sensitivities of miR-486-5p and miR-451a were 0.80 (95% CI: 0.73–0.86) and 0.76 (95% CI: 0.60–0.87), specificities: 0.93 (95% CI: 0.63–0.99) and 0.85 (95% CI: 0.72–0.92), and AUCs: 0.85 (95% CI: 0.81–0.88) and 0.88 (95% CI: 0.84–0.90), for the respective miRNAs. For prognosis, in lung cancer patients with abnormally expressed exosomal miRNAs, miR-1290 was associated with PFS outcome; miR-382, miR-1246, miR-23b-3p, miR-21-5p, and miR-10b-5p were associated with OS outcome; miR-21 and miR-4257 were associated with DFS outcome; miR-125a-3p and miR-625-5p were associated with PFS and OS outcomes; miR-216b and miR-451a were associated with OS and DFS outcomes.

Exosomal miRNAs are valuable biomarkers in lung cancer patients. Exosomal miR-486-5p and miR-451a can be used as new diagnostic biomarkers for lung cancer. Dysregulated exosomal miRNAs could serve as indicators of survival outcomes in lung cancer patients.