Biomarkers for the diagnosis of pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia

Pediatric B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) is the most common childhood malignancy that, characterized by its heterogeneity and aggressiveness, requires new targeted therapies. In recent years, this search has focused on the identification of non-coding Ribonucleic acid (ncRNA), crucial regulators of gene expression. Dysregulation of these long ncRNAs (lncRNAs) has been linked to numerous human diseases and is also associated with oncogenic or tumor suppressor phenotypes. Given the absence of a clinically relevant lncRNA consensus signature for pediatric B-ALL, researchers at a Spanish University have studied the lncRNA profiles of pediatric patients with this lymphoma, identifying two new biomarkers for the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention, improvement or alleviation in the treatment. This invention provides the use of lncRNA and mRNA as diagnostic biomarkers, whose method consists in the quantification of their expression levels from an isolated sample of the bone marrow of the individual. In this way, by comparing the amounts expressed, it is possible to obtain useful data for the diagnosis of pediatric B-ALL, facilitating therapeutic decision-making in these patients. The university is looking for partners from pharmaceutical or biotechnology / health related companies interested in licensing this patented technology.