Identification of ncRNA Biomarkers in Non–Small Cell Lung Cancer to Address Racial Disparities

Abstract

Lung cancer significantly impacts mortality, with African Americans (AA) with 86% sensitivity and 89% specificity. For WAs, a four-ncRNA panel showing higher rates than White Americans (WA). ncRNAs play a crucial comprising sputum miR-34a-5p and plasma miRs–103-3p, 126-3p, and role in lung tumorigenesis. To identify ncRNA biomarkers associated with 205-5p was developed, achieving 88% sensitivity and 87% specificity. These racial disparities in lung cancer, we used droplet digital PCR to examine panels remained effective across various stages and types of lung tumors 93 lung cancer–associated ncRNAs in plasma and sputum samples from and were validated in an independent cohort of 56 patients and 72 con-participants of AA and WA backgrounds, including 118 patients and trols. Ethnicity-related ncRNA signatures hold promise as biomarkers for 92 cancer-free smokers. In the AA population, plasma showed differential tackling racial disparities in patients with lung cancer. expression of 10 ncRNAs, whereas sputum revealed four ncRNAs when comparing patients with lung cancer to the control group. In the WA Significance: This study identifies ethnicity-related ncRNA biomarkers population, the plasma displayed 11 ncRNAs, and the sputum had five that differentiate lung cancer in AAs and WAs, offering diagnostic panels ncRNAs showing differential expression between patients with lung cancer with high sensitivity and specificity. These findings provide a promising and the control group. For AAs, we identified a three-ncRNA panel approach to addressing racial disparities in lung cancer detection and (plasma miRs–147b, 324-3p, and 422a) for diagnosing lung cancer in AAs improving early diagnosis across diverse populations.