This study prospectively evaluated the prognostic value of microRNA-21 (miR-21) and microRNA-486 (miR-486) expression in patients with pulmonary nodules who underwent clock-guided minimally invasive surgery. The study aimed to determine if high expression levels of these miRNAs in resected nodule tissue correlate with poorer clinical outcomes, including larger residual tumor size, higher metabolic activity, and shorter overall and progression-free survival.
Pulmonary nodules pose a significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenge. Clock-guided anatomical positioning is a novel technique that improves the precision of minimally invasive surgical resection. MicroRNAs, such as miR-21 and miR-486, are known to be involved in tumorigenesis and have been identified as potential biomarkers. This study was a prospective cohort study designed to investigate the prognostic significance of miR-21 and miR-486 expression in the context of this advanced surgical technique. A total of 138 patients undergoing clock-guided minimally invasive surgery for pulmonary nodules were enrolled. Intraoperative nodule tissues were collected to quantify miRNA expression levels via real-time PCR. Patients were then stratified into high-expression and low-expression groups based on predetermined cut-off values. Postoperative outcomes, including residual nodule characteristics (size, density, metabolic activity) and survival data (Overall Survival and Progression-Free Survival), were collected and compared between the two groups to assess the predictive power of these miRNAs.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
138
All participants underwent video-assisted thoracoscopic surgery (VATS) for pulmonary nodule resection. Nodule localization was performed using a clock-guided anatomical positioning technique with a 3D reconstruction system. The surgical procedure included wedge resection, segmentectomy, or lobectomy based on clinical judgment.
The First Hospital of Hebei Medical University
Shijiazhuang, Hebei, China
Overall Survival (OS)
Defined as the time from the date of surgery to the date of death from any cause.
Time frame: Assessed up to January 2022 (up to 24 months of follow-up)
Progression-Free Survival (PFS)
Defined as the time from the date of surgery to the date of disease progression (local recurrence or distant metastasis) or death from any cause, whichever occurred first.
Time frame: Assessed up to January 2022 (up to 24 months of follow-up)
Residual Nodule Size
Measurement of the maximum diameter (in cm) of any residual or recurrent nodule on chest CT scans.
Time frame: Assessed at 6 months postoperatively
Residual Nodule Density
Measurement of the density of any residual or recurrent nodule in Hounsfield Units (HU) on non-contrast chest CT scans.
Time frame: Assessed at 6 months postoperatively
Residual Nodule Metabolic Activity
Quantification of metabolic activity of any residual or recurrent nodule using the maximum standardized uptake value (SUVmax) on 18F-FDG PET/CT scans.
Time frame: Assessed at 6 months postoperatively
This platform is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional.