MicroRNAs in urine as diagnostic biomarkers for multiple myeloma.

INTRODUCTION: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematological malignancy. It is of great clinical significance to screen microRNAs (miRNAs) in urine as noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers for MM.

METHODS: Urinary miRNAs in MM were performed by Agilent Bioanalyzer 2100 and verified by quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR). Receiver operator characteristic (ROC) was used to evaluate the diagnostic value of abnormal miRNAs for MM. Progression-free survival (PFS) of MM was calculated by Kaplan-Meier.

RESULTS: In microarray analysis, twelve down-regulated miRNAs dysregulated in MM. The expression levels of miR-134-5p, miR-6500-5p, miR-548q, and miR-548y were validated. These miRNAs were significantly lower in MM (P < .05), but there was no significant difference between newly diagnosed, relapse, and remission group of MM (P> .05). ROC curve analysis showed that the sensitivity of miR-134-5p, miR-6500-5p, miR-548q, and miR-548y to MM was 91.7%, 100%, 100%, and 91.7%, and the specificity was 66.7%, 75.0%, 75.0%, and 100%, respectively. The four miRNAs were negatively correlated with the total urinary light chain (r = -0.427 P = .030, r = -0.461 P = .018, r = -0.469 P = .016, r = -0.493 P = .011). In addition, miR-134-5p, miR-6500-5p, and miR-548q were positively correlated with serum ALB (r = 0.518 P = .006, r = 0.400 P = .039, r = 0.492 P = .009). The expression level of miRNAs had no significant influence on PFS in MM patients (P> .05).

CONCLUSION: The results show that miR-134-5p, miR-6500-5p, miR-548q, and miR-548y are potential noninvasive diagnostic biomarkers for MM.