# Scrutinizing the potential role of non-coding RNAs as biomarkers in Egyptian females with early and metastatic breast cancer

## TL;DR

This study explores non-coding RNAs as potential biomarkers for early detection and prognosis of breast cancer in Egyptian women.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific non-coding RNAs that may serve as better biomarkers than traditional markers in breast cancer.

## Key findings

- Circulating ncRNAs distinguished early breast cancer patients from healthy controls better than CEA and CA15-3.
- PVT1, HOTAIR, miR-331, and miR-195 showed potential as diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers.
- Validation in larger cohorts is needed for clinical application.

## Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) is the second most frequently diagnosed malignancy worldwide and the most common cancer among Egyptian women, accounting for 38.8% of female malignancies. Early diagnosis is critical for improving outcomes; however, conventional serum tumor markers such as CEA and CA15-3 show limited sensitivity and specificity in early-stage BC. Liquid biopsy has emerged as a promising non-invasive approach, enabling detection of circulating tumor-derived products, including non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs). This study aimed to evaluate the differential expression of circulating ncRNAs in the serum of female patients with early and metastatic BC prior to initiation of chemotherapy, and to assess their associations with clinicopathological characteristics and prognostic parameters. We also sought to determine their potential utility as prognostic biomarkers for early detection of metastasis. Method: A total of fifty female participants were enrolled following ethical approval and categorized into three groups: healthy controls (n = 10), early-stage breast cancer patients (n = 21), and metastatic breast cancer patients (n = 19). All breast cancer cases were diagnosed with invasive disease and exhibited mixed hormone receptor status. Result: the results demonstrated that the studied ncRNAs (miRNAs and lncRNAs) effectively distinguished early BC patients from healthy controls, whereas CEA and CA15-3 did not. Conclusion: This pilot study provides preliminary evidence that PVT1, HOTAIR, miR-331, and miR-195 may represent potential diagnostic and prognostic biomarkers in BC. However, due to the limited sample size and exploratory nature of the analyses, validation in larger, independent, and prospectively collected cohorts is essential before clinical application can be established.