IncRNA MVIH correlates with disease features, predicts treatment response and survival in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia

Objective: Long non-coding RNA microvascular invasion in hepatocellular carcinoma (lnc-MVIH) is correlated with unfavorable prognosis in several malignancies, while limitedly studied in pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML). This study aimed to investigate the correlation of lnc-MVIH with disease features, response to induction therapy, and survival in pediatric AML patients.

Methods: A total of 129 de novo pediatric AML patients who were retrospectively analyzed and 60 children with non-malignant hematological diseases who underwent bone marrow examination were reviewed as controls. Bone marrow mononuclear cells (BMMCs) were isolated from all participants to detect lnc-MVIH expression by reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction. The complete remission status after 1 course of induction therapy, event-free survival, and overall survival of pediatric AML patients were recorded.

Results: Lnc-MVIH was upregulated in pediatric AML patients compared with controls (p < 0.001). In pediatric AML patients, lnc-MVIH was correlated with increased bone marrow blasts, less inv(16) or t(16;16) abnormity, and higher Chinese Medical Association (CMA) risk stratification (all p < 0.05), whereas its correlation with National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN) risk stratification was not statistically significant (p = 0.098). As for prognosis, lnc-MVIH high expression patients presented with lower complete response rate to 1 course of induction therapy (61.5% vs. 79.7%, p = 0.024), shorter event-free survival (median 12.0 months vs. 22.0 months, p = 0.006), and overall survival (median 28.0 months vs. 42.0 months, p = 0.043) compared with lnc-MVIH low expression patients.

Conclusion: Lnc-MVIH correlates with poor treatment response and unfavorable survival in pediatric AML.