ceRNA Network of lncRNA/miRNA as Circulating Prognostic Biomarkers in Non-Hodgkin Lymphomas: Bioinformatic Analysis and Assessment of Their Prognostic Value in an NHL Cohort

Research has been focusing on identifying novel biomarkers to better stratify non-Hodgkin lymphoma patients based on prognosis. Studies have demonstrated that lncRNAs act as miRNA sponges, creating ceRNA networks to regulate mRNA expression, and its deregulation is associated with lymphoma development. This study aimed to identify novel circulating prognostic biomarkers based on miRNA/lncRNA-associated ceRNA network for NHL. Herein, bioinformatic analysis was performed to construct ceRNA networks for hsa-miR-150-5p and hsa-miR335-5p. Then, the prognostic value of the miRNA–lncRNA pairs’ plasma levels was assessed in a cohort of 113 NHL patients. Bioinformatic analysis identified MALAT1 and NEAT1 as hsa-miR-150-5p and has-miR-335-5p sponges, respectively. Plasma hsa-miR-150-5p/MALAT1 and hsa-miR335-5p/NEAT1 levels were significantly associated with more aggressive and advanced disease. The overall survival and progression-free survival analysis indicated that hsa-miR-150-5p/MALAT1 and hsa-miR335-5p/NEAT1 pairs’ plasma levels were remarkably associated with NHL patients’ prognosis, being independent prognostic factors in a multivariate Cox analysis. Low levels of hsa-miR-150-5p and hsa-miR-335-5p combined with high levels of the respective lncRNA pair were associated with poor prognosis of NHL patients. Overall, the analysis of ceRNA network expression levels may be a useful prognostic biomarker for NHL patients and could identify patients who could benefit from more intensive treatments.