Abstract: ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship between the expression level of microRNA145 (miR145) in peripheral blood and clinicopathological characteristics of esophageal cancer patients and evaluate its significance in shortterm efficacy of radiotherapy. MethodsA total of 52 patients with esophageal cancer diagnosed in Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University were collected, and all of the patients received radiotherapy alone. The relative expression level of miR145 in peripheral blood was detected by using the method of reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RTPCR) before radiotherapy. The correlations between the expression of miR145 and pathological characteristics as well as shortterm efficacy of radiotherapy were analyzed. ResultsIn the 52 patients, the relative expression of miR145 ［M(QR)］ in peripheral blood of clinical stage ⅠⅡ was 3.14 (1.44), higher than that of stage ⅢⅣ ［1.71 (0.48)］, and the difference was statistically significant (Z=-3.002, P=0.003). The expression level of miR145 was not related with the age (Z=-0.403, P=0.687), gender (Z=-1.179, P=0.238) and history of drinking (Z=-0.389, P=0.697). The expression levels of miR145 in complete response (CR), partial response (PR) and no change (NC) groups were 3.27 (1.64), 1.83 (1.26) and 1.40 (2.51), respectively, and the difference was statistically significant (H=6.567, P=0.038). ConclusionThe expression level of miR145 in peripheral blood is significantly correlated with the clinical stage of esophageal cancer. Its expression level is positively correlated with the shortterm efficacy of esophageal cancer radiotherapy. High expression of miR145 shows a better shortterm efficacy of radiotherapy.

Key words: Esophageal neoplasms, Radiotherapy, MicroRNAs, Prognosis