Diseases
Exploratory Identification of Potential Serum Biomarkers Associated with Relapse in Multiple Myeloma
By Wittawat Chantkran, Chonlada Laoruangroj, Sittiruk Roytrakul and 4 others.
Abstract
Background
Relapse remains a major clinical challenge in multiple myeloma (MM), highlighting the need to identify circulating proteins associated with relapse as candidates for disease monitoring and further biomarker development.
Methods
An integrated proteomic and transcriptomic approach was used to identify candidate biomarkers associated with relapsed MM. Differentially abundant proteins were identified by LC–MS/MS profiling of paired serum samples collected at very good partial response (≥VGPR) and at relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) diagnosis. A publicly available gene expression dataset (GSE47552) comparing malignant and normal plasma cells was analyzed to assess gene–protein concordance. Candidate biomarkers were subsequently evaluated by ELISA using paired serum samples from 40 patients collected at ≥VGPR and relapse. Associations with bone marrow plasma cell (BMPC) burden and CD30 expression by immunohistochemistry (IHC) were further explored.