RNA-seq Insights into Major Regulatory Networks in Pediatric Leukemia

Pediatric leukemia is a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in children, necessitating a deeper understanding of its molecular mechanisms. This study identifies key regulatory networks driving pediatric leukemia using RNA sequencing (RNA-seq) and data from the European Nucleotide Archive (ENA). Peripheral blood samples from pediatric leukemia patients and healthy controls were analyzed. The computational pipeline included quality control via FastQC, read alignment to the reference genome using STAR and differential gene expression analysis with DESeq2. Total 250 differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified between leukemia and control samples. Key pathways associated with leukemogenesis including cell cycle regulation, apoptosis and immune response, were significantly enriched. Transcription factors such as MYC and NF- κB were highlighted as central regulators of these networks. Gene ontology (GO) and pathway enrichment analysis were performed using DAVID and KEGG databases, revealing dysregulated immune signaling as a prominent feature of pediatric leukemia. Weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA) was employed to identify gene modules strongly correlated with leukemic phenotypes. This study provides a comprehensive overview of dysregulated gene networks in pediatric leukemia, leveraging publicly available ENA data and advanced computational techniques. The results offer potential biomarkers for early diagnosis and new therapeutic targets in pediatric leukemia, contributing to a better understanding of its molecular landscape.