Characterization of plasma exosomal microRNAs in responding to radiotherapy of human esophageal squamous cell carcinoma

Radiotherapy is one of the main treatment methods for esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC). Previous research has shown that plasma exosomal microRNAs (miRNAs) can predict therapeutic outcome. In the present study, to identify potential exosomal miRNAs that respond to radiotherapy, plasma exosomal miRNAs from ESCC patients undergoing radiotherapy were isolated and sequenced. Upregulated and downregulated miRNAs were detected from patients pre- and post-radiotherapy, and it was found that they play distinct roles in DNA damage process and endosomal mediated transport. Based on wound healing and Cell Counting Kit-8 assays in TE-1 human esophageal cancer cells, it was identified that representative miRNA miR-652 and miR-30a alter migration but not proliferation. The present findings identified differentially expressed miRNAs in responding to radiotherapy, and added a reference to explore non-invasive plasma biomarkers to evaluate therapeutic effects in ESCC.