Expression profiling of microRNAs and isomiRs in conventional central chondrosarcoma

Conventional central chondrosarcoma (CCC) is a malignant bone tumor that is characterized by the production of chondroid tissue. Since radiation therapy and chemotherapy have limited effects on CCC, treatment of most patients depends on surgical resection. This study aimed to identify the expression profiles of microRNAs (miRNAs) and isomiRs in CCC tissues to highlight their possible participation to the regulation of pathways critical for the formation and growth of this type of tumor. Our study analyzed miRNAs and isomiRs from Grade I (GI), Grade II (GII), and Grade III (GIII) histologically validated CCC tissue samples. While the different histological grades shared a similar expression profile for the top abundant miRNAs, we found several microRNAs and isomiRs showing a strong different modulation in GII + GIII vs GI grade samples and their involvement in tumor biology could be consistently hypothesized. We then in silico validated these differently expressed miRNAs in a larger chondrosarcoma public dataset and confirmed the expression trend for 17 out of 34 miRNAs. Our results clearly suggests that the contribution of miRNA deregulation, and their targeted pathways, to the progression of CCC could be relevant and strongly indicates that when studying miRNA deregulation in tumors, not only the canonical miRNAs, but the whole set of corresponding isomiRs should be taken in account. Improving understanding of the precise roles of miRNAs and isomiRs over the course of central chondrosarcoma progression could help identifying possible targets for precision medicine therapeutic intervention.