Caspian Journal of Internal Medicine
Babol University of Medical Sciences
Tue, May 26, 2026
[Archive]
Volume 17, Issue 2 (Spring 2026)
Caspian J Intern Med 2026, 17(2): 17-0 |
Back to browse issues page
Ethics code: IR.KUMS.REC.1403.181
Download citation:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
BibTeX | RIS | EndNote | Medlars | ProCite | Reference Manager | RefWorks
Send citation to:
Dabir M, Manteghi S, Payandeh M, Rashidi A A, Saba F. RUNX1-IT1 and AK026392.1 Long Non-Coding RNAs as Early Predictors of Acute Graft-Versus-Host Disease following Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation in Acute Leukemia. Caspian J Intern Med 2026; 17 (2) :17-0
URL: http://caspjim.com/article-1-4881-en.html
URL: http://caspjim.com/article-1-4881-en.html
Department of Medical Laboratory Science, School of Paramedical, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah Iran , Fakhredin.saba@kums.ac.ir
Abstract: (64 Views)
Background:Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) offers curative potential for hematologic malignancies, yet acute graft-versus-host disease (aGVHD) remains a major complication. Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) regulate immune responses and T-cell differentiation, raising interest in their possible role as biomarkers. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of RUNX1-IT1 and AK026392.1 in peripheral CD4⁺ T cells of allo-HSCT recipients with and without aGVHD.
Methods: In a case–control design, 30 acute leukemia patients undergoing allo-HSCT were enrolled. Peripheral blood samples were obtained on day +7 post-transplantation. Patients were monitored for 100 days and classified as aGVHD (n=14) or non-GVHD (n=16) according to NIH criteria. Expression levels of RUNX1-IT1 and AK026392.1 were quantified using qRT-PCR and normalized to ABL. Statistical comparisons and ROC curve analyses were performed to assess diagnostic performance.
Results: RUNX1-IT1 expression was significantly elevated in the aGVHD group (~14-fold increase, P=0.012) with an AUC of 0.75, sensitivity 64.3%, and specificity 75%. AK026392.1 showed no statistically significant difference (P=0.114) but demonstrated relatively high specificity (87.5%) with an AUC of 0.67. No significant differences in baseline demographic or clinical characteristics were observed between groups.
Conclusion: RUNX1-IT1 upregulation in aGVHD patients supports its potential role in Th1-driven immune responses post-allo-HSCT. While AK026392.1 alone was not significant, its high specificity suggests value in combination with RUNX1-IT1 within multi-marker biomarker panels for aGVHD.
Methods: In a case–control design, 30 acute leukemia patients undergoing allo-HSCT were enrolled. Peripheral blood samples were obtained on day +7 post-transplantation. Patients were monitored for 100 days and classified as aGVHD (n=14) or non-GVHD (n=16) according to NIH criteria. Expression levels of RUNX1-IT1 and AK026392.1 were quantified using qRT-PCR and normalized to ABL. Statistical comparisons and ROC curve analyses were performed to assess diagnostic performance.
Results: RUNX1-IT1 expression was significantly elevated in the aGVHD group (~14-fold increase, P=0.012) with an AUC of 0.75, sensitivity 64.3%, and specificity 75%. AK026392.1 showed no statistically significant difference (P=0.114) but demonstrated relatively high specificity (87.5%) with an AUC of 0.67. No significant differences in baseline demographic or clinical characteristics were observed between groups.
Conclusion: RUNX1-IT1 upregulation in aGVHD patients supports its potential role in Th1-driven immune responses post-allo-HSCT. While AK026392.1 alone was not significant, its high specificity suggests value in combination with RUNX1-IT1 within multi-marker biomarker panels for aGVHD.
Keywords: Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation, Graft vs Host Disease, RNA, Long Noncoding, T-Lymphocytes, Leukemia, Acute
Policy Brief: Original Article |
Subject:
Hematology
Received: 2025/08/16 | Accepted: 2025/10/15 | Published: 2026/03/24
Received: 2025/08/16 | Accepted: 2025/10/15 | Published: 2026/03/24
Send email to the article author
| Rights and permissions | |
 |
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial 4.0 International License. |
