Current understanding of the role and regulation of miRNAs in Burkitt lymphoma

Alessandro Davide Videtta,1 Valeria Malagnino,2 Giulia De Falco3 1183th Paratroop Regiment “Nembo” Italian Army, Pistoia, Italy; 2Onco-Haematology Department SS. Annunziata Hospital, Taranto, Italy; 3Faculty of Science and Engineering, School of Biological and Chemical Sciences, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK Abstract: Since its discovery in 1958, Burkitt lymphoma (BL) has been extensively studied and has become a model for tumorigenesis, but its pathogenesis has not been completely explained and understood yet. The aim of this review was to summarize the current knowledge about BL and, in particular, to discuss the role of miRNAs in its pathogenesis and their possible use as ­diagnostic and prognostic indicators. The impact of viral-encoded miRNAs is also discussed, with the Epstein–Barr infection being almost invariably detected in the endemic variant of this tumor. Keywords: Burkitt lymphoma, miRNAs, MY