The potential of miRNAs as biomarkers for multiple myeloma

Abstract

Since the discovery of the link between miRNA and cancer, miRNAs have been investigated in virtually all tumors. Their ability to add a novel level of gene regulation and to target genes apparently not linked to each other has greatly intrigued researchers and physicians alike. In this review, the role of miRNAs in multiple myeloma (MM) is summarized, with particular attention to their potential as biomarkers. The promising role of circulating miRNAs in diagnosis and risk stratification is also discussed, as well as preliminary results of miRNA-based therapeutic approaches. Finally, the critical issues in miRNA analysis in MM and ongoing strategies to solve them are discussed. The ability to standardize miRNA analysis procedures will permit the inclusion of miRNA evaluation alongside available stratification tools, paving the way for personalized medicine in MM.

Keywords::

• biomarkers
• circulating miRNAs
• exosomes
• miRNAs
• multiple myeloma
• staging system

Acknowledgements

The authors thank Lucas D for careful reading and editing of the manuscript. The authors also thank Hanley L for the administrative support.

Financial & competing interests disclosure

The authors were supported by Kimmel (Pichiorri F), Multiple Myeloma Opportunities for Research & Education (MMORE) (Hofmeister CC, Pichiorri F). This work was also supported by the Ohio State University Pelotonia Fellowship Program (Rocci A) and Pelotonia Idea Grant (Pichiorri F). The authors have no other relevant affiliations or financial involvement with any organization or entity with a financial interest in or financial conflict with the subject matter or materials discussed in the manuscript apart from those disclosed.

No writing assistance was utilized in the production of this manuscript.

Key issues

• miRNAs are a newly discovered mechanism to modulate gene expression.

• miRNAs play a key role in the development and pathogenesis of cancer, including multiple myeloma (MM).

• Specific miRNA expression levels can be incorporated in stratification tools, further improving the power of currently available prognostic markers.

• Abnormalities in genes involved in miRNA biogenesis can affect the expression of specific miRNAs.

• Technical issues regarding the collection, manipulation, storage and analysis of miRNAs need to be solved, and standardized procedures are required to improve reproducibility.

• Circulating miRNAs can be a novel mechanism used by MM cells to interact with surrounding cells and boost tumor cell growth and drug resistance.

• The analysis of circulating miRNAs introduces a safe, painless and low-cost opportunity to evaluate molecular biomarkers in cancer diagnosis and treatment.

• miRNA can be a critical part of the process of moving MM treatment toward a more personalized approach.

Notes