Comparison of BCR-ABL and miRNA expression levels in treatmentresponsive and treatment-unresponsive patients with chronic myeloidleukemia

Aim: It is known that the microRNAs discovered in cancer and genetic association studies are not only limited to malignancies but play a role in many disease groups, from heart diseases to the central nervous system. In our study, we examined the relationship between Bcr-Abl quantities and miRNA levels in patients with CML. Aim was identified both Bcr-Abl quantities and miRNA levels in patients who were newly diagnosed, with and without response to treatment. So miRNAs could be used as biomarkers at the time of diagnosis as well as determining the optimal treatment method to compare between patient groups and healthy controls by determining miRNA levels. Material and Method: In this study, 75 patients who were newly diagnosed or followed up with CML and 25 healthy subjects were included as control group. After RNA isolation from the whole blood materials taken from patients and control groups, both Bcr-Abl and miR-10a, miR-150, miR 148b, miR-130b gene expressions were examined in Real Time Pcr. Results: miR-10a gene expression, which was suggested to good prognosis, was upregulated in the new diagnosis and response patient groups On the other hand, gene expression of miR-150 and miR-148b, which were suggested to good and poor prognosis respectively, were downregulated in the patient group with outresponse.. Conclusion: We believe that miR-10a can be used as a biomarker in diagnostic and therapeutic follow-ups in CML patients, and that the decrease in miR-150 and miR-148b gene expressions is not significant in response to treatment. Key Words: KML, Bcr-Abl, miR-10a, miR-150, miR-148b