Molecular Signature of miR‐34a/NEAT‐1/p53 Axis in Mycosis Fungoides

Abstract

Background. Mycosis fungoides (MF) is a type of cutaneous T‐cell lymphoma where red rash exists on the skin. Understanding the role of miRNAs and ncRNAs in p53‐response has become an open discussion, as they can regulate p53 or its downstream targets, and ncRNAs themselves. Objectives. To evaluate the serum levels of NEAT‐1, miR‐34a, and p53 in MF patients and its relation to healthy controls to indicate whether it has a potential role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Subjects and Methods. This prospective case‐control study was carried out on 75 subjects subdivided into two groups, 35 MF patients (stages 1 and II) and 40 matched healthy controls. Their clinical investigations and serum biomarkers (NEAT‐1, miR‐34a, and p53) were measured. Results. There were significant elevations in the expression levels of both NEAT‐1 (5.10 ± 1.16) and p53 (277.28 ± 62.02) in the serum of MF patients in comparison with controls (1.01 ± 0.031) and (194.29 ± 16.039), respectively, while the level of miR‐34a tends to decrease in MF patients (0.24 ± 0.15). There are no significant difference between MF stages and the level of miR‐34a, while in NEAT‐1 and p53, there are significant differences with p value <0.05 between the stages and the biomarkers. There is a positive correlation between the %BSA and miR‐34a and a slightly positive correlation between NEAT‐1 and P53 with (r = 0.353, p = 0.037) and (r = 0112, p = 0.05), respectively. There were also negative correlations between disease duration and NEAT‐1 with (r = −0.341, p = 0.045) and between B2 microglobulin level and p53 (r = −0.373, p = 0.027). Conclusion. The combination of miR‐34a, NEAT‐1, and p53 may be considered as potential biomarkers that play an active role in the disease process of MF for helping in its early diagnosis and stage identification as well.