The role of miRNA-196a2 genotypes in the susceptibility of acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Egyptian children

Background: Different types of miRNA were discovered to have a big role now in many diseases and cancer. Objectives: This study assessed the association between the miRNA-196a2 (rs 11614913) polymorphism and acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in children. Design: Retrospective case-control study. Settings: This study was done in Benha University Hospital Pediatric Department & Benha Specialist Hospital for Children from May 2019 to February 2020. Subjects and methods: Blood DNA samples from cases and control children were studied for the miRNA-196a2 (rs11614913) polymorphism using Polymerase Chain Reaction-Restriction Fragment-Length Polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) approach. Sample size: 100 childhood ALL patients and 60 apparently healthy children as control were recruited in our study. Results: The frequency of miRNA-196a2 (rs 11614913) C allele was 56.7% in control compared to 54% in cases. In addition there was no significant association between CC or TT genotypes and susceptibility of pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia (P = 0.74 and 0.36). There was statistically highly significant increase in TT genotype in males compared to females and significant increase in mean of LDH and ESR in TT genotype compared to CC genotype. Conclusion: We concluded there was no association between miRNA-196a2 genotypes and pediatric acute lymphoblastic leukemia in Egypt. Limitations: Small patient sample size.