Objective To analyze the predictive effect of miRNA-let-7 combined with serum markers on the chemotherapy effect and prognosis of glioma (GBM) patients.

Methods We collected the data of 25 patients with GBM. Twenty healthy volunteers were included as the control group. Fasting serum samples were collected. The levels of let-7b, let-7d, and let-7e in serum samples were analyzed by quantitative real-time PCR.

Results Compared with the control group, the levels of let-7b (192.5±18.71 vs. 98.13±11.68, t=6.42, P<0.0001) and let-7d (82.9±14.14 vs. 44.62±6.83, t=2.41, P<0.05) and let-7e (139.60±14.62 vs. 75.86±9.72, t=5.45, P<0.001) in the peripheral blood of patients in the GBM group decreased significantly. The let-7b and let-7e levels significantly decreased in GBM patients over 60 years old, with tumor size over 5 cm, non-frontotemporal lesions, and ECOG of 2, who underwent biopsy alone (P<0.05). The levels of let-7b and let-7e significantly differed among GBM patients with various types of treatment response (P<0.05). The OS of GBM patients with high expression of let-7b and let-7e was higher than that of patients with low let-7b and let-7e expression (P<0.05).

Conclusion The expression of let-7b and let-7e in blood samples can be used to monitor GBM and predict patients' response to treatment and prognosis.