Long noncoding RNA antisense noncoding RNA in the INK4 locus as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker in acute myeloid leukemia

Abstract

Background
In acute myeloid leukemia (AML), long non coding RNAs (lncRNAs) may serve as prognostic indicators. The precise significance of lncRNAs for the prognosis of AML is still unknown.


Objective
The present study aims to assess the possible diagnostic and prognostic impact of antisense noncoding RNA in the INK4 locus (ANRIL) in AML patients.


Patients and methods
This study included 60 patients recently diagnosed with AML in the South Egypt Cancer Institute (SECI) and 30 healthy individuals matched in age and sex as a control. Molecular testing was conducted to detect the expression of the ANRIL gene, and the analysis was carried out using real-time PCR.


Results
The AML patient’s median gene expression was significantly higher compared with the control group’s median (P<0.001). Outcome analysis based on the level of ANRIL gene expression showed poorer overall survival in the high expression of ANRIL group of patients (6 months) than in the low expression group (11 months). Also, high ANRIL gene expression showed shorter disease-free survival (5.5 months) than the low expression group (9 months).


Conclusion
ANRIL gene expression was upregulated in studied AML patients, and it was correlated with poor outcomes and decreased disease-free survival. LncRNA ANRIL may play a role in the pathophysiology and course of AML, providing fresh insight into the potential use of ANRIL as a biomarker or therapeutic target in AML.