Abdulmohsen A Alsanawi, Safaa M Naes, Mohammed A Alhoot, Saeed S Shaikh, Muffeed H M AlDarwish, Taha H M Aljassim, Mohammed A H Altammar, Aqeela M Alkhabbaz, Fatimah J Alzarra
microRNAs show high potential as diagnostic biomarkers for leukemia. However, further validation through large-scale, standardized studies is necessary before clinical application.
BACKGROUND: Leukemia is a heterogeneous group of hematological malignancies with diverse clinical outcomes. microRNAs (miRNAs) have emerged as promising non-invasive biomarkers with diagnostic, prognostic, and therapeutic potential. This systematic review aims to summarize the current evidence on the role of microRNAs as di-agnostic biomarkers in different subtypes of leukemia.
METHODS: Following PRISMA guidelines, relevant studies were identified through a systematic search in PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science up to August 2025. Inclusion criteria covered original research articles assessing miRNA expression in leukemia patients versus healthy controls.
RESULTS: A total of 49 studies were included. Several microRNAs (e.g., miR-155, miR-181a, miR-29b) were consistently dysregulated in acute and chronic leukemias. Patterns of expression varied by leukemia subtype and disease stage. Pooled sensitivity and specificity across studies were 0.83 and 0.92, respectively, with AUC = 0.94.
CONCLUSIONS: microRNAs show high potential as diagnostic biomarkers for leukemia. However, further validation through large-scale, standardized studies is necessary before clinical application.