title: [Expression and clinical significance of beta-catenin in multiple myeloma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  beta-catenin is the pivotal regulator in Wnt pathway and in charge of cellular adhesion and signal conduction. Overexpression of beta-catenin has been observed in various human tumors. This study was to investigate the expression and clinical significance of beta-catenin in multiple myeloma (MM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot were used to detect mRNA and protein expression of beta-catenin in bone marrow samples from 12 newly diagnosed MM patients, 14 relapsed/refractory MM patients, and 11 healthy donors. The clinical data and treatment outcomes of the MM patient were also analyzed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The positive rate and the expression level of beta-catenin mRNA were significantly lower in healthy donors than in newly diagnosed patients and relapsed/refractory patients (27.3% vs. 75.0% and 100%, P=5.01e(-4); 0.35+/-0.17 vs. 0.72+/-0.11 and 0.85+/-0.16, P=5.88e(-5)); the mRNA level of beta-catenin was significantly lower in newly diagnosed patients than in relapsed/refractory patients (P=0.045). beta-catenin protein was not detected in healthy donors; while the positive rate and the expression level of beta-catenin protein were significantly lower in newly diagnosed patients than in relapsed/refractory patients (50.0% vs. 85.7%, 0.32+/-0.11 vs. 0.21+/-0.08, P=0.039). In the 10 newly diagnosed MM patients with evaluable treatment outcomes, the positive rate of beta-catenin protein was significant lower in the 7 patients without response than in the 3 patients showed response (14.3% vs. 100%, P=0.033). The positive rate of beta-catenin protein was significant higher in the 16 Durie/Salmon stage III patients than in the 10 stage II patients (87.5% vs. 40.0%, P=0.026), and significant higher in ISS stage III patients than in stage I and II patients (100% vs. 45.5% and 33.3%, P=0.006, P=0.032). The protein level of beta-catenin was positively correlated to serum levels of beta2-MG (r=0.688, P=0.002) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (r=0.502, P=0.034).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The expression of beta-catenin is related with treatment outcome, Durin-Salmon stage and ISS stage of MM, and is positively correlated to serum levels of LDH and beta2-MG.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, The First Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510080, PR China. luliyuan@tom.com
authors.forename: Juan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Dian-Bao
authors.initials: DB
authors.lastname: Zhang
authors.forename: Shao-Kai
authors.initials: SK
authors.lastname: Luo
authors.forename: Ying
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Zhao
authors.forename: Bei-Hui
authors.initials: BH
authors.lastname: Huang
authors.forename: Jing-Li
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Gu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase / Q000097:blood*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000378:metabolism; D012074:Remission Induction; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000097:blood*; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D012333:RNA, Messenger; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D051176:beta Catenin; D007770:L-Lactate Dehydrogenase