Diagnostic Value of Plasma miR-145 and miR-185 as Targeting of the APRIL Oncogene in the B-cell Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia

BACKGROUND: Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is one of the most common hematologic malignancy in adults worldwide. This cancer has a poor prognosis at different stages. So, the identification of new biomarkers is important for diagnosis of B-CLL. Considering the oncogenic role of APRIL molecule in this leukemia as well as the regulatory role of miRNAs in different signaling pathways, the present study evaluated the miRNAs targeting APRIL gene in B-CLL. METHODS: The miRNAs were predicted and selected using bioinformatics algorithms. A total of 80 plasma samples were subjected to RNA extraction and synthesis of cDNA. The expressions levels of predicted miRNAs and APRIL gene in plasma of B-CLL patients and healthy individuals were assessed by Real time PCR analysis. ROC analysis was performed to investigate the role predicted miRNAs as novel biomarkers in diagnosis of B-CLL. RESULTS: The results of the prediction showed that miR-145-5p and miR-185-5p target the APRIL gene. The expression level of APRIL gene was strikingly higher in plasma of B-CLL patients than in the healthy individuals (102, P= 0.001). On the other hand, expression levels of miR-145-5p and miR-185-5p were strikingly lower in B-CLL patients than in the healthy individuals (0.07, P= 0.001) (0.29, P= 0.001). Also, ROC curve analyses demonstrated that miR-145-5p and miR-185-5p are specific and sensitive and may serve as new biomarkers for the detection of B-CLL. (AUC; 0.95, sensitivity; %90) (AUC; 0.87, sensitivity; %63). CONCLUSION: These data suggest that miR-145-5p and miR-185-5p target the APRIL gene and might have a role in diagnosis of B-CLL. Therefore, these two miRNAs can be served as a novel and potential biomarker for detection of B-CLL.