Valentina Serrano-Cruz

Cardiotoxicity (CDTX) is a critical side effect of many cancer therapies, leading to increased morbidity and mortality if not addressed. Early detection of CDTX is essential, and while echocardiographic measures like global longitudinal strain offer promise in identifying early myocardial dysfunction, the search for reliable biomarkers continues. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are emerging as important non-coding RNA molecules that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally, influencing key biological processes such as the cell cycle, apoptosis, and stress responses. In cardiovascular diseases, miRNAs have demonstrated potential as biomarkers due to their stability in circulation and specific expression patterns that reflect pathological changes. Certain miRNAs have been linked to CDTX and hold promise for early detection, prognosis, and therapeutic targeting. These miRNAs not only assist in identifying early cardiac injury, but also offer opportunities for personalized interventions by modulating their expression to influence disease progression. As research advances, integrating miRNA profiling with traditional diagnostic methods could enhance the management of CDTX in cancer patients, paving the way for improved patient outcomes and more tailored therapeutic strategies. Further clinical studies are essential to validate the clinical utility of miRNAs in managing CDTX.

Atrial fibrillation (AF) is the most common arrhythmia worldwide, affecting 1% of the population over 60 years old. The incidence and prevalence of AF are increasing globally, representing a relevant health problem, suggesting that more advanced strategies for predicting risk stage are highly needed. miRNAs mediate several processes involved in AF. Our aim was to identify miRNAs with a prognostic value as biomarkers in patients referred for AF ablation and its association with LVA extent, based on low-voltage area (LVA) maps. In this study, we recruited 44 AF patients referred for catheter ablation. We measured the expression of 84 miRNAs in plasma from peripheral blood in 3 different groups based on LVA extent. Expression analysis showed that miR-486-5p was significantly increased in patients with broader LVA (4-fold, p = 0.0002; 5-fold, p = 0.0001). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that miR-486-5p expression could predict atrium LVA (AUC, 0.8958; p = 0.0015). Also, miR-486-5p plasma levels were associated with AF-type (AUC, 0.7137; p = 0.0453). In addition, miR-486-5p expression was positively correlated with LVA percentage, left atrial (LA) area, and LA volume (r = 0.322, p = 0.037; r = 0.372, p = 0.015; r = 0.319, p = 0.045, respectively). These findings suggest that miR-486-5p expression might have prognostic significance in LVA extent in patients with AF.