microRNAs in T-Cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia: Roles and Contributions to Treatment Response

Abstract

T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL) is an aggressive hematologic malignancy induced by the proliferation of immature T-cell precursors. Even with the development of multi-agent chemotherapy, treatment failure, and relapse remain the most important challenges because of drug resistance. miRNAs are a class of small non-coding RNAs that modulate the expression of target mRNAs at the post-transcription level. They play significant roles in many biological processes, including tumorigenesis, differentiation, and apoptosis. Recent research has underlined the contribution of specific miRNAs to the pathogenesis of T-ALL and drug resistance. In the present review, the therapeutic potential of miRNA modulation in T-ALL disease will be discussed according to their role in disease biology, mechanisms of resistance, and possible strategies for clinical application