Differential expression of miRNAs in Egyptian adult acute myeloid leukemia patients

Adult Acute Myeloid Leukemia [AML] is a heterogeneous disease with dismal outcome. Micro RNA [MiRNA] is a small endogenous non-coding RNA ranging from 18 to 22 nucleotides in size which has a major function in post-transcriptional regulation. Lately, there has been a wide interest in Micro RNAs where over 700 MiRNAs were identified in the human genome, in which many have a role in various types of cancer including Leukemia either by acting as a tumor suppressor or have an oncogenic effect (OncomiRs). In recent years, the functions performed by miRNA in AML initiation have been universally accepted. For example, Mir-223 was found mediating irregular differentiation and promoting leukemogenesis. In addition, it was stated that miRNA expression changes occur via AML mechanisms ranging from copy number alterations constituting of deletions and amplifications to epigenetic alterations by abnormal transcription factors or oncogenic fusion proteins leading to altered biological processes and pathways and the binding of the mutated miRNA to a number of essential mRNAs.The aim of the present study is to evaluate the prognostic value of miRNAs in Egyptian adult AML patients by NGS technology.