miR-5192 Downregulation in Pediatric Leukemia: A Subtype-Specific Analysis

Background: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small non-coding RNAs that regulate gene expression. Depending on context, they may act as tumor suppressors or oncogenes and therefore represent potential biomarkers for early detection, classification, and prognosis of childhood leukemia. This study aimed to evaluate the expression of miR-5192 in pediatric leukemia.Methods: This case–control study included 50 children with leukemia and 50 apparently healthy controls aged 1–13 years. miR-5192 expression was quantified using real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR).Results: miR-5192 expression was significantly lower in leukemic children than in controls (−1.91 ± 4.62414 vs. −0.10 ± 2.80491, respectively; p = 0.020). Differences in miR-5192 expression were also observed among leukemiasubtypes.Conclusion: miR-5192 is downregulated in pediatric leukemia, supporting a potential tumor-suppressor role. Downregulation appeared consistent in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and T-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (T-ALL), whereas its association with B-acute lymphoblastic leukemia (B-ALL) remains uncertain.