Bulletin of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Assiut · Published 2026-05-22 · DOI 10.21608/bfsa.2026.474313.3056
Zeinab Mohamoud kadry, Nagwa Sayed Ahmed, Emad Eldin Nabil Hassan, Shrouk Mostafa Galal, Reda Salah Yousef
Background: Non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) represents a diverse group of lymphoid malignancies. Although tissue biopsy is considered the gold standard for diagnosis, there is a pressing need for non-invasive alternatives, such as "liquid biopsy" markers. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have been recognized as stable circulating regulators of gene expression, often functioning as oncomiRs or tumor suppressors in hematological cancers. This study aims to assess the diagnostic utility of serum miR-16-1, miR-21, and miR-155 as non-invasive biomarkers for NHL. Additionally, it investigates the relationship between these circulating miRNAs and specific clinical and pathological features, including bone marrow infiltration and disease staging, to improve prognostic accuracy. Patients and Methods: A case-control study was conducted involving 70 participants, which included 50 treatment-naïve NHL patients and 20 healthy controls. Extensive clinical assessments were carried out, including imaging (CT/PET-CT) and laboratory tests (CBC, LDH, liver and kidney function tests). Serum levels of miR-16-1, miR-21, and miR-155 were measured using Real-Time PCR (RT-qPCR). Results: The average age of NHL patients was 50.3 ± 14.8 years, with a predominance of male patients (64%). miR-16-1 was significantly downregulated, while miR-21 and miR-155 showed marked upregulation. Notably, miR-21 and miR-155 exhibited high diagnostic sensitivity and specificity. A significant relationship was noted between reduced levels of miR-155 and bone marrow infiltration (p = 0.025). Conclusion: Serum levels of miR-16-1, -21, and -155 may be used as diagnostic indicators for NHL. The correlation between miR-155 and bone marrow status emphasizes its potential as a non-invasive prognostic tool for identifying high-risk patients.
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kadry, Z., Ahmed, N., Hassan, E., et al. (2026). microRNAs as Promising Biomarkers for Diagnosis and Prognosis in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma patients.. Bulletin of Pharmaceutical Sciences. Assiut. https://doi.org/10.21608/bfsa.2026.474313.3056