Long Non-Coding RNA Expression in B-Cell Precursor Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Analysis of LINC-PINT, MEG3, BALR6, and ZEB1-AS1.

BACKGROUND/

OBJECTIVES

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) have been identified as potential biomarkers for cancer diagnosis and prognosis. In the present study, we proposed the analysis of four lncRNAs as a diagnostic support candidate for the follow-up of leukemia patients. The aim of this study was to characterize the expression of BALR6, LINC-PINT, MEG3, and ZEB1-AS1 in patients with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) at diagnosis and at the end of remission induction therapy.

METHODS

B-ALL diagnosis and MRD assessment were performed by flow cytometry, while lncRNA expression levels were quantified using TaqMan probe-based assays.

RESULTS

Fifteen pediatric patients with B-ALL were followed longitudinally. MRD evaluation identified seven refractory and eight remitted patients. Significant expression changes were observed for MEG3 in remitted patients and for BALR6 and LINC-PINT in refractory patients. No statistically significant differences were detected for ZEB1-AS1.

CONCLUSIONS

Changes in MEG3, LINC-PINT, and BALR6 lncRNA expression are associated with treatment response and MRD status in pediatric B-ALL, supporting their potential role as complementary biomarkers to conventional MRD monitoring.