Abstract 5230: Circulating miRNA in acute myeloid leukemia: A pilot study
Authors: Quintana-Ortiz Rafael A. , Fonseca-Williams Sharon , Perez-Cantalapiedra Hector , Lacourt-Ventura Mercedes , Munoz-Masso Cristina , Bernabe-Dones Raul D. , Tirado-Gomez Maribel 
Published: May 2015

Introduction: Acute myeloid leukemia (AML) is within the top 10 cancers in USA. AML Cytogenetic classification currently guides AML treatment selection strategies based on risk-adapted treatment. However, AML has proven to be a heterogeneous disease and in up to 45% of patients, cytogenetic classification fails to predict their clinical outcome and thus fails to guide further therapy. micro-RNA (miRNA) are regulators of hematopoiesis and their expression is related to gene expression modulations. miRNAs can be detected in the blood stream. Thus we intend to evaluate the value of miRNAs as prognostic biomarkers in AML.

Methods: Using a retrospective case-control (age-gender match) study design, plasma miRMA was isolated from 10 samples (5 control cases and 5 AML cases). miRNA was isolated from plasma sample using miRNeasy kit. Bio-analyzer was used for determine the miRNA integrity and quality. The miRNA expression level for selected miRNa based on publish data associating them with functions related to hematopoiesis (myeloid), AML and cancer using miScript miRNA PCR Array (Qiagen).

Results: A total of 10 samples were analyzed (5 cases/ 5 controls). Gender distribution was 80% female and 20% males, mean age was 59 (range 32 to 66). Cytogenetic risk classification distribution was 40% low risk, 40% high risk and 20% intermediate risk. Down expression of miRNA levels in AML participants compared to controls was found for miR101-3p, miR106b-5p, miR142-3p, miR142-5p, miR-145-5p, miR-148a-3p, miR15a-5p, miR-16-5p, miR199a-5p (all p&lt;0.07) and miR-223-3p/miR-93-5p (p&gt;0.071). Over expression of miRNA levels in AML participants compared to controls was found for miR100-5p, miR-155-5p, miR34a-5p, miR-182-5p, miR-181b-5p, miR-181a-5p, miR-221-3p, (all p&gt;0.071).

Conclusions: We were able to identify statistically significant differences in plasma miRNA expressions levels between AML and control participants. Especially when analyzing miRNA previously associated with hematopoiesis and cancer development like miR-223-3p (myeloid development), miR-101-3p (tumor suppressor), miR-145-5p (anti-oncomiR), miR-155-5p (oncomiR), among others. Our preliminary data analysis is consistent with AML related published data and contrast with others but, most importantly, its analysis results are been consistent with known miRNA, AML and cancer published pathways. Further AML and control subjects recruitment is ongoing in order to provide an increased sample and further confirmation of this preliminary findings.

Note: This abstract was not presented at the meeting.

Citation Format: Rafael A. Quintana-Ortiz, Sharon Fonseca-Williams, Hector Perez-Cantalapiedra, Mercedes Lacourt-Ventura, Cristina Munoz-Masso, Raul D. Bernabe-Dones, Maribel Tirado-Gomez. Circulating miRNA in acute myeloid leukemia: A pilot study. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 5230. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-5230