miR-5192 Downregulation in Pediatric Leukemia: A Subtype-Specific Analysis

Ahbail, Zahraa Talib; Khudhair, Anfal Mohammed; Ibrahim, Maysaa Nihad

doi:10.32894/kjms.2026.167312.1241

miR-5192 Downregulation in Pediatric Leukemia: A Subtype-Specific Analysis

Document Type : Original research

Authors

Zahraa Talib Ahbail ¹

Anfal Mohammed Khudhair ¹

Maysaa Nihad Ibrahim ²

¹ Department of Microbiology, College of Medicine, University of AL-Iraqia, Baghdad, Iraq

² Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, University of AL-Iraqia, Baghdad, Iraq

https://doi.org/10.32894/kjms.2026.167312.1241

Abstract

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression. Depending on context, they may act as tumor suppressors or oncogenes and therefore represent potential biomarkers for early detection, classification, and prognosis of childhood leukemia. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of miR-5192 in pediatric leukemia.
Methods: This case–control study included 50 children with leukemia and 50 apparently healthy controls aged 1–13 years. miR-5192 expression was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).
Results: miR-5192 expression was significantly lower in leukemic children than in controls (−1.91 ± 4.62414 vs. −0.10 ± 2.80491, respectively; p = 0.020). Differences in miR-5192 expression were also observed among leukemia
subtypes.
Conclusion: miR-5192 is downregulated in pediatric leukemia, supporting a potential tumor-suppressor role. Downregulation appeared consistent in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), whereas its association with B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) remains uncertain.

Keywords

Pediatric leukemia

MicroRNAs

miR-5192

Subjects