Nadia Heydari - Student Research Committee, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran,
Novin Nikbakhsh - Cancer Research Center, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran,
Farzin Sadeghi - Cellular and Molecular Biology Research Center, Health Research Institute, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran,
Nazila Farnoush - Department of Surgery, Babol University of Medical Sciences, Babol, Iran,

Introduction &Aims: The purpose of the present study was to evaluate microRNA-140-3p expression level in breast cancer patients in comparison to healthy controls.Methods: Serum microRNA-140-3p level was quantified by real-time quantitative reverse transcription PCR in 40 women with breast cancer and 40 healthy subjects.Results: Serum microRNA-140-3p level in patients compared to healthy subjects was significantly up-regulated (p=0.01). MicroRNA-140-3p had a good diagnostic accuracy for discrimination of the two groups (AUC=0.667; sensitivity=70%; specificity=50%). Serum microRNA-140-3p level was overexpressed in premenopausal patients who were ≤48 years old. ROC curve showed a similar pattern again (AUC=0.690; sensitivity=73%; specificity=50%). Conclusions: microRNA-140-3p has the potential for detection of breast cancer, especially in premenopausal (≤48years old) women.

microRNA-140-3p; microRNA; breast cancer; real time-PCR.