Identification of prognostic and subtype-specific potential miRNAs in thymoma.

AIM: We performed a study to identify the role of microRNA in thymoma.

PATIENTS &

METHODS

One hundred twenty-three thymoma patients with clinical information and miRNA expression data from The Cancer Genome Atlas were included in the study. Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis was integrated in our analysis.

RESULTS &

CONCLUSION

Seven miRNAs were found to be associated with overall survival (p < 0.001). Another four miRNAs were found to be associated with disease-free survival (p < 0.001). Type C thymoma can be distinguished from nontype C thymoma by miRNAs. Interestingly, seven miRNAs showed both prognostic and subtype-specific potential. Our findings suggest that miRNAs can be used for prognostic prediction and subtype stratification.