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Is relative quantification dispensable for the measurement of microRNAs as serum biomarkers in germ cell tumors?

BACKGROUND
Classical biomarkers α-fetoprotein, β-human chorionic gonadotropin and lactate dehydrogenase (AFP, bHCG and LDH) are elevated in only 60% of all testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) patients. microRNAs (miRNAs) are a novel class of useful biomarkers in cancer and miRNAs of the miR-371-3 cluster were proven to be valuable markers for TGCT patients.


MATERIALS AND METHODS
We compared the Ct and ΔCt values of miR-371-3 by real time PCR (qPCR) with and without 18S rRNA for normalization. Expression of miR-371a-3p, miR-372 and miR-373-3p was measured in 25 TGCTs, 4 non-TGCTs and 17 age-matched male controls.


RESULTS
A highly positive correlation between Ct and ΔCt values was found in all samples. The highest correlation was found for miR-371a-3p (R2: 0.956).


CONCLUSION
RESULTS show that qPCR can be used without endogenous control for analyzing miR-371-3 in the serum of patients with testicular cancer and male controls if the technical procedure is performed under controlled conditions.