Role of miRNA in diagnosis of Wilms tumor and neuroblastoma.

Wilms tumor (WT) and Neuroblastoma (Nb) are the two most common pediatric abdominal tumors that are difficult to differentiate due to anatomical proximity and often need an invasive procedure such as fine needle aspiration or biopsy. Pediatric tumors have differential expression of miRNA that can be used as a non invasive method to differentiate. Based upon the existing published literature, we designed a panel of four miRNAs (miR1180, miR143, miR124, and miR34a) to differentiate WT from Nb. This was a prospective study conducted over 2 years (2019-2021) at our center. A total of 17 cases, including 10 cases of WT and seven cases of Nb, were included in this study. Ribonucleic acid (RNA) extraction was conducted after confirmation of diagnosis, which was reverse transcribed to complementary deoxyribonucleic acid (cDNA). Real time polymerase chain reaction using cDNA was performed for analyzing expression levels of miR1180, 143, 124, and 34a. The two biomarkers differentially expressed between these patients are miR143 and miR124 3p. miR143 is down regulated in WT (80% of cases), while up regulated in Nb (71.4% of cases), while miR124 3p is up regulated in WT (6/10:60%) and down-regulated in Nb cases. We conclude that miR143 and 124 might prove as useful biomarkers to differentiate between WT and Nb; however, more comprehensive evaluation is required for confirmation of the same.