Cell-free pregnancy-associated microRNAs in blood plasma as potential biomarker in early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy

Purpose: Ectopic pregnancy (EP) is one of the life-threatening disorders in early pregnancy and current strategies are inadequate in its clinical management. There is a need to identify more accurate biomarkers for early diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Methods: This case–control study was conducted in a group of 35 women diagnosed with ectopic pregnancy and 31 women with a normal singleton pregnancy. Patients’ characteristics including the level of β-hCG, age, body mass index (BMI), and gestational age have been recorded. The plasma levels of cell-free hsa-miR-411, hsa-miR-433, and hsa-miR-524 were examined by qRT-PCR using specific primers. Results: There was no statistically significant difference in maternal age, gestational age, and BMI between the two groups. β-hCG concentrations in EP were significantly lower than normal pregnancy group. Cell-free hsa-miR-411 and hsa-miR-433 had statistically significant differences in concentrations in women with EP and normal pregnancy. hsa-miR-411 and hsa-miR-433 had better diagnostic values for discriminating EP from normal pregnancy. Moreover, hsa-miR-411 and hsa-miR-433 showed a specificity of 61% and 53%, and a sensitivity of 72% and 79%, respectively. Conclusions: hsa-miR-411 and hsa-miR-433 microRNAs concentrations in plasma have potential as a predicting biomarker for early diagnosis of EP. However, further research is needed before using miRNAs in clinical practice for both diagnostic and therapeutic goals.