The Regulatory Role of Noncoding RNAs on PTEN Expression in Myeloid and Lymphoid Leukemias: Mechanisms and Therapeutic Implications

Phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) acts as a tumor suppressor gene, and loss or dysregulation thereof plays a central role in leukemogenesis processes, disease progression, and resistance to anticancer therapy in myeloid and lymphoid leukemias. Growing research highlights the complex regulatory landscape involving noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs), particularly microRNAs (miRNAs), long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs), and circular RNAs (circRNAs), providing overwhelming evidence that supports the critical role of these molecules in regulating PTEN expression and functionality in leukemia scenarios. The therapeutic potential of regulating PTEN through ncRNAs reveals selective targets that potentially break anticancer resistance and enhance patient outcomes. A host of ncRNAs holds promise as potential diagnostic and prognostic markers for leukemia. A critical analysis of the complex interactions that explain the various roles of the ncRNAs in the regulatory landscape surrounding PTEN can form the basis for developing RNA-targeted new therapeutic strategies aimed at hematopoietic malignancies. The review aims to provide a thorough and critical evaluation of the regulatory influence of ncRNAs on the expression and functionality of PTEN in myeloid and lymphoid leukemias. Focusing on the molecular mechanisms that facilitate modulation by various classes of RNAs (miRNAs, lncRNAs, circRNAs), we aim to bring into sharper focus the contributions of these RNAs to leukemic progression and therapeutic response, as well as provide valuable insights into potential targets and markers for the development of innovative therapeutic approaches.