Diagnostic and prognostic significance of internal tRNA-derived fragment glycine-glycine-cytosine (itRNAGlyGCC) expression in epithelial ovarian cancer

Background: Epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) is a leading cause of cancer death in women, often diagnosed at advanced stages due to its vague early symptoms. This study investigates the potential of a small non-coding RNA fragment, internal tRNA-derived fragment Glycine-Glycine-Cytosine (i-tRFGlyGCC ), as a biomarker for EOC diagnosis and prognosis. Methods: The study involved 142 patients with stage III EOC and 100 healthy controls. i-tRFGlyGCC expression was measured in tumor tissues, serum samples, and analyzed using real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) . Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves assessed diagnostic accuracy. Correlations between i-tRFGlyGCC expression and clinicopathological features, treatment response, and survival outcomes were investigated. Results: We observed significantly lower i-tRFGlyGCC expression in both EOC tissues and serum compared to controls. Notably, ROC curve analysis revealed exceptional diagnostic accuracy for i-tRFGlyGCC in both tissues (Area Under the Curve (AUC) = 1.000) and serum (AUC = 1.000), suggesting its potential as a diagnostic tool. Furthermore, we explored the relationship between i-tRFGlyGCC expression and various EOC prognostic features. We found a strong negative correlation with patient age and significant associations with advanced stage, non-serous tumor type, poorer tumor differentiation, presence of ascites, lower treatment response, and larger residual tumor burden. Additionally, patients with high i-tRFGlyGCC expression exhibited significantly poorer overall and disease-free survival rates. Conclusions: This study highlights the promise of i-tRFGlyGCC as a biomarker for EOC diagnosis and prognosis. Its downregulation in EOC coupled with its correlation with aggressive features and poorer survival outcomes warrants further investigation in larger studies to validate its clinical utility.

Epithelial ovarian cancer; Internal tRNA-derived fragment Glycine-CCC; Diagnostic marker; Prognostic marker; Survival

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