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Review
. 2021 Jul 13;22(14):7470.
doi: 10.3390/ijms22147470.

Next-Generation Biomarkers in Multiple Myeloma: Understanding the Molecular Basis for Potential Use in Diagnosis and Prognosis

Amro M Soliman  1 , Srijit Das  2 , Seong Lin Teoh  3
Affiliations
Review

Next-Generation Biomarkers in Multiple Myeloma: Understanding the Molecular Basis for Potential Use in Diagnosis and Prognosis

Amro M Soliman et al. Int J Mol Sci. .

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is considered to be the second most common blood malignancy and it is characterized by abnormal proliferation and an accumulation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow. Although the currently utilized markers in the diagnosis and assessment of MM are showing promising results, the incidence and mortality rate of the disease are still high. Therefore, exploring and developing better diagnostic or prognostic biomarkers have drawn global interest. In the present review, we highlight some of the recently reported and investigated novel biomarkers that have great potentials as diagnostic and/or prognostic tools in MM. These biomarkers include angiogenic markers, miRNAs as well as proteomic and immunological biomarkers. Moreover, we present some of the advanced methodologies that could be utilized in the early and competent diagnosis of MM. The present review also focuses on understanding the molecular concepts and pathways involved in these biomarkers in order to validate and efficiently utilize them. The present review may also help in identifying areas of improvement for better diagnosis and superior outcomes of MM.

Keywords: angiogenic markers; diagnostic markers; liquid biopsy; miRNAs; multiple myeloma; prognostic markers; proteomics; telomeres.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Molecular pathogenesis and underlying cytogenic alterations associated with MM development. Chromosomal translocations and aneuploidy disrupt cyclin D genes that in turn enhance G1/S transition of the cell cycle to induce abnormal cellular proliferation in plasma cells to develop MGUS. Other genetic mutations were found to be associated with the transformation of the disease towards MM and EMM. IGH; Immunoglobulin H, Chr: chromosome, PCs: plasma cells; MGUS: monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, SMM: smoldering multiple myeloma, EMM: extramedullary multiple myeloma, CCDN: cyclin D, MMSET: multiple myeloma SET domain, NF-κB: nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells, BM: bone marrow.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Biomarkers that are currently utilized for diagnosis and risk-stratifying of multiple myeloma.
Figure 3
Figure 3
Multiple myeloma staging systems: Durie-Salmon PLUS System (DSS) and revised International Staging System (ISS).
Figure 4
Figure 4
Extracellular matrix proteins that are expressed at different phases of multiple myeloma.
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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