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MicroRNA Expression and Neurocognitive Outcomes in Children and Young People With Primary Brain Tumor in Karachi,
Nida Zahid1,2, Muhammad Nouman Mughal3,4, Nick Brown2,5
1Department of Surgery, Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan.
Insights
This study explored microRNAs (miRNAs) as potential biomarkers for neurocognitive function in pediatric brain tumor patients. Pretreatment miR-210 levels correlated negatively with perceptual reasoning, while miR-10b levels correlated positively with processing speed 12 months posttreatment.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Genetics
- Pediatric Oncology
Background:
- MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are regulators of cellular pathways and potential prognostic markers for neurocognitive function in adults.
- Limited data exists on miRNA expression and neurocognitive outcomes in children with central nervous system tumors.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore miRNA expression in children and young adults (5-21 years) with primary brain tumors.
- To correlate pretreatment miRNA levels with neurocognitive function 12 months posttreatment.
Main Methods:
- Serum samples from 34 patients were analyzed for miR-21, miR-146a, miR-296-5p, miR-210, and miR-10b using quantitative PCR.
- Neurocognitive assessments were performed pretreatment and 12 months posttreatment.
- Correlation analysis examined relationships between pretreatment miRNA expression and neurocognitive outcomes.
Main Results:
- A negative correlation was observed between pretreatment miR-210 and 12-month perceptual reasoning scores (ρ=-0.59).
- A positive correlation was found between pretreatment miR-10b and 12-month processing speed scores (ρ=0.49).
- No significant differences in miRNA expression were found between different time points.
Conclusions:
- Pretreatment miR-210 and miR-10b levels show potential as prognostic biomarkers for neurocognitive outcomes in pediatric brain tumor patients.
- Further research is needed to elucidate the roles of miR-10b and miR-210 in cognitive processes.
- These findings may inform future therapeutic strategies and monitoring of neurocognitive function.
Background:
microRNAs regulate various cellular pathways and may serve as medium-term prognostic markers in neurocognitive function, as suggested by adult studies. However, no comparable data exist for children with central nervous system tumors. This pilot study explored miRNA expression and its correlation with 12-month posttreatment neurocognitive function in children and young adults (5-21 years) with primary brain tumors.
Methods:
The study was conducted at Aga Khan University Hospital and Jinnah Postgraduate Medical Center (November 2020 to July 2023). This study analyzed serum levels of miR-21, miR-146a, miR-296-5p, miR-210, and miR-10b using reverse transcriptase quantitative PCR. Neurocognitive assessments using Slosson Intelligence Test, Raven's Progressive Matrices, and Wechsler Intelligence Scale were performed at pretreatment and 12 months posttreatment. The paired t-test was used to assess miRNA expressions, and correlation analysis assessed relationships between pretreatment miRNA expression and neurocognitive outcomes.
Results:
Of the 48 patients, serum samples were available for analysis from 34 (71%) patients each at pretreatment and 48 hours post-surgery, and 13 (27%) patients at 12 months posttreatment. A statistically significant negative correlation was found between pretreatment miR-210 levels and perceptual reasoning scores at 12 months posttreatment (ρ=-0.59), and a positive correlation between pretreatment miR-10b levels and processing speed scores (ρ=0.49). However, there were no differences in microRNA expressions between pretreatment and 48 hours post-surgery (n=34), pretreatment and 12 months posttreatment (n=13), or 48 hours post-surgery and 12 months posttreatment.
Conclusion:
This pilot exploratory study found two statistically significant correlations: a negative correlation between pretreatment miR-210 levels and 12 months posttreatment perceptual reasoning scores and a positive correlation between miR-10b expression and 12 months posttreatment speed scores. Further studies are needed to understand the protective or restorative function of miR-10b in cognitive processes and the detrimental role of miR-210 in cognitive processes to evaluate their potential future use as prognostic biomarkers for neurocognitive outcomes in children and young people with primary brain tumors.
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