The Clinical Implications of the Inverse Correlation Between miR‐27b‐3p and EGFR in Oral Cancer

Abstract

ABSTRACT Aim This study aimed to investigate the role of miR‐27b‐3p in regulating epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) expression and its significance in the pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC). Methods Potential miRNAs targeting EGFR were identified using TargetScan, miRDB, and miRTarBase, followed by literature screening. Expression patterns of miR‐27b‐3p and EGFR were analyzed using The Cancer Genome Atlas Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (TCGA‐HNSC) and Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) datasets. Secondary structure stability of miR‐27b‐3p was assessed using RNAfold. Functional and pathway enrichment analyses were conducted using Enrichr and DIANA‐miRPath. Experimental validation was performed using quantitative real‐time polymerase chain reaction (qRT‐PCR) in paired tumor and adjacent normal tissues from 80 OSCC patients. Results miR‐27b‐3p was significantly downregulated in tumor tissues, while EGFR was upregulated, indicating an inverse relationship. RNAfold analysis demonstrated stable precursor secondary structure of miR‐27b‐3p. Enrichment analysis revealed involvement in key cancer‐related pathways, including PI3K/AKT and MAPK signaling, along with cell cycle regulation and apoptosis. Conclusion miR‐27b‐3p acts as a tumor suppressor by negatively regulating EGFR in OSCC. It may serve as a promising diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target, contributing to improved understanding of miRNA‐mediated molecular mechanisms in OSCC.