Serum miR-148a And miR-152 Expression As Novel Noninvasive Biomarkers For Diagnosis And Prognostic Prediction of Multiple Myeloma

Abstract Objective: Multiple myeloma (MM) as a hematological malignancy remains mostly incurable at present. The aim of the current study was to investigate the potential of serum microRNA (miRNA) as a novel biomarker for MM.Methods: This study recruited 90 MM patients and 30 healthy controls. Bone marrow samples were obtained from 12 MM patients and 6 healthy controls. The expression level of miR-148a/152 was determined by qRT-PCR. The diagnostic performance and prognostic prediction of miR-148a/152 expression were analyzed by ROC curve and Kaplan-Meier method respectively. Serum IgA, IgG, κ light chain, λ light chain and β2 microglobulin levels were detected by immunoturbidimetry. Serum LDH level was detected by lactic acid substrate method.Results: The expression levels of miR-148a and miR-152 were elevated in serum and CD138+ plasma cells of MM patients as compared with controls (P<0.05). There was a statistically significant correlation between serum miR-148a/152 expression and the clinicopathological parameters of MM patients. Conclusion: The results of the present study suggest that circulating miR-148a and miR-152 may prove to be a marker for diagnosis and prognostic prediction of MM.