CircRNF220 Regulates Cell Growth and is Linked with Relapse in Pediatric AML

Circular RNAs (circRNAs) may serve as an efficient and specific diagnosis tool of pediatric acute myeloid leukemia (AML), according to a study published in Molecular Cancer.

Researchers sought to assess the expression pattern of circRNAs in pediatric AML using a circRNA microarray. The researchers evaluated characteristics, potential diagnostic value, and prognostic significance of circRNF220, while conducting functional experiments to discern the role of circRNF220 in primary pediatric AML cells.

The analysis identified circRNF220, which they noted was specifically abundant in and accumulated in the peripheral blood and bone marrow of pediatric patients with AML, as a factor that portends to poor AML outcomes. The results showed that circRNF220 expression independently predicted prognosis, while high expression of circRNF220 was an unfavorable prognostic marker for AML relapse.

“Collectively, these findings demonstrated that circRNF220 could be highly efficient and specific for the accurate diagnosis of pediatric AML, with implications for relapse prediction,” the researchers concluded.