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The importance of miRNAs and epigenetics in acute lymphoblastic leukemia prognosis
Reza Ranjbar1, Ansar Karimian2,3,4, Arad Aghaie Fard5
1Molecular Biology Research Center, Baqiyatallah University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
Insights
This review summarizes how microRNAs (miRNAs) and epigenetics drive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) development. Understanding these factors offers new therapeutic strategies and reduces treatment side effects for this common childhood cancer.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) is a common malignancy originating from genetic lesions in T-cell or B-cell progenitors.
- Peak prevalence of ALL occurs in children aged 2-5 years, with survival influenced by age, therapy response, and cell biology.
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) and epigenetic modifications, particularly DNA methylation, are key regulators of gene expression in ALL.
Purpose of the Study:
- To review the role of pathogenetic microRNAs (miRNAs) in the initiation and progression of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL).
- To summarize the impact of epigenetic mechanisms, including DNA methylation patterns, on ALL pathogenesis.
- To highlight the potential of understanding miRNA and epigenetic roles for novel therapeutic approaches and improved outcomes in ALL.
Main Methods:
- Literature review focusing on the pathogenetic roles of miRNAs in ALL.
- Analysis of epigenetic alterations, specifically DNA methylation, in the context of ALL development.
- Synthesis of current knowledge on miRNA and epigenetic contributions to ALL initiation and progression.
Main Results:
- MicroRNAs act as noncoding RNAs with inhibitory effects on specific messenger RNAs (mRNAs), influencing gene expression in ALL.
- Epigenetic mechanisms profoundly alter DNA methylation patterns in ALL cells.
- Specific miRNAs and epigenetic changes are implicated in the initiation and progression of acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Conclusions:
- Deciphering the roles of miRNAs and epigenetics in ALL pathogenesis is crucial for revolutionizing therapy response and patient outcomes.
- Targeting miRNAs and epigenetic pathways holds significant promise for developing novel treatments for ALL.
- Further research into miRNA and epigenetic dysregulation can lead to reduced toxic side-effects of intensive leukemia therapies.
Abstract:
Acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), one of the most common malignant human disorders, originates in different important genetic lesions in T-cell or B-cell progenitors. ALL is a malignant lymphoid progenitor with peak prevalence in children (2-5 years). The rate of survival when one is suffering from ALL depends on various agents including the age of the patient, responses to anti-leukemic therapy, and cell biology. miRNAs and epigenetics are important regulatory factors in the expression of genes. miRNAs are noncoding RNA with inhibitory effectors on specific mRNA. Patterns of DNA methylation are profoundly changed in ALL by epigenetic mechanisms. The deciphering of miRNA and the epigenetic pathogenesis in ALL could revolutionize response to the therapy and outcome, and create an enormous promise for novel approaches to reduce the toxic side-effects of intensive leukemia. Hence, pathogenetic miRNAs and epigenetics leading to the initiation and the progression of ALL are summarized in this review.
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