Four LncRNAs Show Elevated Expression Across Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Subtypes

Four long non-coding RNAs—ROCR, CFLAR-AS1, ST7-AS1, and ST7-AS2—demonstrate elevated expression levels in patients with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma compared to controls, according to a case-control study published in BMC Medical Genomics. The research team also observed higher expression across all four molecules when comparing the non-germinal center B-cell subtype against the germinal center B-cell subtype, with receiver operating characteristic curve analysis indicating strong diagnostic potential, particularly for ST7-AS2.

Diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, commonly designated as DLBCL, is a hematological malignancy characterized by substantial clinical, phenotypic, and genetic variability. The malignancy is primarily classified into two main biological subtypes: the germinal center B-cell (GCB) subtype and the non-germinal center B-cell (non-GCB) or activated B-cell (ABC) subtype. Investigating the molecular mechanisms underlying these subtypes is critical for improving diagnostic precision and formulating tailored therapeutic approaches.

Recent advances in sequencing technologies have enabled the detection of numerous long non-coding RNAs exhibiting abnormal expression patterns in lymphoma. To identify specific candidates offering diagnostic utility, the investigators integrated bioinformatic screening of public genomic repositories with laboratory validation. The computational phase utilized gene expression dataset GSE207388, retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus database, which encompassed the global expression profiles of 19,305 genes.

Using significance analysis of the RNA sequencing algorithm, the researchers evaluated differentially expressed genes across the dataset. Applying a stringent cut-off threshold of a fold change greater than two and a significance value of p ≤ 0.001, the team narrowed the initial pool to 299 candidate genes. Subsequent Gene Ontology and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes enrichment analyses on co-expressed genes led to the prioritisation of four key regulatory lncRNAs: ROCR, CFLAR-AS1, ST7-AS1, and ST7-AS2.

To evaluate these computational predictions in clinical specimens, the authors conducted a case-control study across two hospital centers in Iran between 2023 and 2024. Lymph node tissue specimens were gathered from 261 patients diagnosed with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma along with 123 control participants. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction assays were then carried out to experimentally quantify and validate the expression levels of the four candidate markers.

Laboratory quantification confirmed significant upregulation of ROCR, CFLAR-AS1, ST7-AS1, and ST7-AS2 in lymphoma tissue compared to control samples, as well as distinct elevation in non-GCB cases relative to GCB cases. Receiver operating characteristic curve evaluations affirmed the diagnostic value of these transcripts, identifying ST7-AS2 as the marker displaying the highest diagnostic potential. The authors concluded that these findings advance the molecular characterization of DLBCL and could aid in the future refinement of targeted clinical strategies.

Subject of Research: Expression profiles and diagnostic potential of long non-coding RNAs in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma subtypes

Article Title: Expression profiles of long non-coding RNAs ROCR, CFLAR-AS1, ST7-AS1, and ST7-AS2 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a case-control study focusing on GCB and non-GCB subtypes

Article References: Rajabi, A., Ghaffari Laleh, M., Safaralizadeh, R., Rajabi, A., Tayefeh-Gholami, S., & Saber, A. (2026). Expression profiles of long non-coding RNAs ROCR, CFLAR-AS1, ST7-AS1, and ST7-AS2 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma: a case-control study focusing on GCB and non-GCB subtypes. BMC Medical Genomics, 19(1), Article 170. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12920-026-02452-0

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DOI: 10.1186/s12920-026-02452-0

Keywords: diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, DLBCL, long non-coding RNAs, lncRNAs, ROCR, CFLAR-AS1, ST7-AS1, ST7-AS2, germinal center B-cell subtype, GCB subtype, non-GCB subtype, activated B-cell subtype, GSE207388, Gene Expression Omnibus, quantitative real-time PCR, ROC curve analysis, differentially expressed genes, KEGG enrichment analysis, GO enrichment analysis