19 May microRNA Biomarkers Predictive of Outcomes After Cardiac Arrest
MedicalResearch.com Interview with:
Dr. Yvan Devaux
Yvan Devaux, PhD
Associate Head of Laboratory
Cardiovascular Research Unit
Department of Population Health
Luxembourg Institute of Health
Luxembourg
MedicalResearch.com: What is the background for this study? What are the main findings?
Dr. Devaux: Being able to predict outcome after cardiac arrest would allow tailoring healthcare and would represent a major step forward towards personalized medicine. However, available predictive tools suffer serious limitations and would benefit from novel biomarkers.
The value of microRNAs (miRNAs) as biomarkers has been investigated in various clinical contexts and initial small-scale studies suggested that miRNAs might be useful indicators of outcome after cardiac arrest.
Our work aimed at testing whether these molecules, and in particular the brain-enriched miR-124-3p, can be used to predict outcome after cardiac arrest.
We found that, indeed, circulating levels of miR-124-3p measured 48h after cardiac arrest are robust predictors of neurological outcome and mortality.
The strengths of the study are the use of a large multicenter international cohort (TTM-trial) and the collaboration between LIH and European partners (members of the TTM-trial and the Cardiolinc network) bringing complementary clinical and basic expertise.
MedicalResearch.com: What should readers take away from your report?
Dr. Devaux: MicroRNAs are found circulating in the bloodstream, thus can be easily and non-invasively obtained from patients.
Using miR-124-3p to predict neurological outcome and survival after cardiac arrest would increase accuracy of prognostication and guide clinical decisions without causing patient discomfort.
MedicalResearch.com: What recommendations do you have for future research as a result of this study?
Dr. Devaux: Although the predictive value of miR-124-3p has been assessed in a multicenter international trial, further studies are required to validate our findings and define how miR-124-3p can be brought to clinical application.
MedicalResearch.com: Is there anything else you would like to add?
Dr. Devaux: It has to be kept in mind that novel biomarkers shall not be considered in isolation but included in multimodal prediction strategies, as recommended by current guidelines.
MedicalResearch.com: Thank you for your contribution to the MedicalResearch.com community.
Citation:
Devaux Y, Dankiewicz J, Salgado-Somoza A, et al. Association of Circulating MicroRNA-124-3p Levels With Outcomes After Out-of-Hospital Cardiac Arrest: A Substudy of a Randomized Clinical Trial. JAMA Cardiol.Published online May 18, 2016. doi:10.1001/jamacardio.2016.0480.
Note: Content is Not intended as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider regarding your specific medical condition and questions.
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Last Updated on May 19, 2016 by Marie Benz MD FAAD