LncRNA CCAT2 expression at diagnosis predicts imatinib response in chronic phase chronic myeloid leukemia patients

• Published in: Leukemia research Vol. 116; p. 106838
• Main Authors: Shehata, Amira M.F., Gohar, Suzy F., Muharram, Nashwa M., Eldin, Samar M. Kamal
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: England Elsevier Ltd 01.05.2022
• Subjects: Chronic myeloid leukemia; Humans; Imatinib mesylate; Imatinib Mesylate - therapeutic use; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive - diagnosis; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive - drug therapy; Leukemia, Myelogenous, Chronic, BCR-ABL Positive - genetics; Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase - drug therapy; Leukemia, Myeloid, Chronic-Phase - genetics; Leukocytes, Mononuclear - metabolism; Long non-coding RNAs, Polymerase Chain reaction; Prognosis; RNA, Long Noncoding - genetics; Long non-coding RNAs, Polymerase Chain reaction; Prognosis; Chronic myeloid leukemia; Imatinib mesylate
• ISSN: 0145-2126; 1873-5835
• DOI: 10.1016/j.leukres.2022.106838

Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) are identified as key players in the initiation, development, and prognosis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Some lncRNAs are expected to serve as diagnostic biomarkers, predictors of clinical outcomes and therapeutic targets. We aimed to examine the expression of lncRNA colon cancer-associated transcript 2 (CCAT2) in CML patients, as well as to correlate CCAT2 expression with response to imatinib therapy. 43 newly diagnosed patients with chronic phase CML were included, and 30 healthy persons were selected as controls. Real-time reverse transcription PCR was performed to analyze the expression of CCAT2 in peripheral blood mononuclear cells. Our results reported for the first time the upregulated expression of CCAT2 in CML patients as compared with controls (P < 0.001). We demonstrated significant association between CCAT2 expression and therapy response at 3 months, and at 6 months (P = 0.004, and P = 0.005; respectively). Moreover, CCAT2 expression was significantly associated with spleen size (P = 0.006) and EUTOS sore (P = 0.030). LncRNA CCAT2 is highly expressed in the peripheral blood of CML patients, and the enhanced expression at diagnosis is linked to imatinib resistance. CCAT2 is expected to become a reliable molecular marker for predicting imatinib response in chronic phase CML patients. •LncRNA CCAT2 is upregulated in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of CML patients.•Increased expression of CCAT2 can predict imatinib resistance in CP CML patients.•Relative CCAT2 expression levels are closely associated with EUTOS sore.