MicroRNA-206 as a Novel Potential Prognostic Biomarker for Distinguishing Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive and Negative ALL Patients.

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate protein-coding gene expression, and alterations in their expression are associated with leukemic transformation of hematopoietic cells. This study analyzed bone marrow samples from Philadelphia chromosome-positive (Ph+) and Philadelphia chromosome-negative (Ph-) acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) patients to assess miR-320a and miR-206 expression and their relationship with prognosis. Materials and Methods: miR-206 and miR-320a expression levels were assessed using real-time PCR in 50 bone marrow specimens: 10 from healthy individuals (control group), 20 from Ph+ ALL patients, and 20 from Ph- ALL patients. Data were analyzed using GraphPad Prism version 7, one-way ANOVA, and Chi-square tests. Results: The Ph- ALL group exhibited a significant 3.8-fold reduction in miR-206 expression (P = 0.004), while the Ph+ ALL group showed a significant 5.34-fold increase (P = 0.006) compared to the control group. No statistically significant differences were observed in miR-320a expression between the Ph+ and Ph- groups relative to controls (P = 0.496 and P = 0.645, respectively). Data analysis revealed no association between age, sex, and miRNA expression. Conclusion: MiR-206 showed differential expression, being significantly upregulated in Ph+ ALL and downregulated in Ph- ALL patients. This miRNA may serve as a potential diagnostic biomarker for distinguishing between the two ALL subgroups. However, further studies incorporating clinical outcome data are needed to confirm its prognostic value.