title: Overexpression of HOXB7 and homeobox genes characterizes multiple myeloma patients lacking the major primary immunoglobulin heavy chain locus translocations.
abstract: Homeobox (HOX) gene transcription factors are frequently deregulated in hematologic malignancies and involved in leukemogenic transformation [1]. Moreover, their overexpression has been associated with tumoral-induced neoangiogenesis in solid cancer [2]. The expression and the role of these genes have not yet been completely elucidated in multiple myeloma (MM). Recently, we reported that a small fraction of MM patients shows a HOXB7 overexpression as compared with normal samples and that HOXB7 expression correlates with bone marrow angiogenesis and the production of the proangiogenic factors by MM cells [3]. Other authors previously reported that HOXA cluster genes are expressed in a small fraction of MM patients [4]. Herein, we extended our previous evidences with the evaluation of the expression level of HOXB7 and the other gene family members in a large number of primary MM cells in relationship with the different molecular subgroups of MM and the presence of specific chromosome translocations. We found that HOXB7 and other genes of HOX family have a preferential distribution based on the characteristics of molecular MM subtypes based on the translocations/cyclins (TC) classification, suggesting a potential relationship between HOX genes expression, angiogenesis, and molecular features of MM patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Sciences, University of Milano and Hematology 1, Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, Milan, Italy.
authors.forename: Luca
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Agnelli
authors.forename: Paola
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Storti
authors.forename: Katia
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Todoerti
authors.forename: Gabriella
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Sammarelli
authors.forename: Benedetta
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dalla Palma
authors.forename: Marina
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bolzoni
authors.forename: Alberto
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Rocci
authors.forename: Francesco
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Piazza
authors.forename: Gianpietro
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Semenzato
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palumbo
authors.forename: Antonino
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Neri
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Giuliani
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D001853:Bone Marrow / Q000098:blood supply; D015331:Cohort Studies; D016208:Databases, Factual; D020869:Gene Expression Profiling; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D005801:Genes, Homeobox; D052138:Genes, Neoplasm; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D017404:In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence; D008875:Middle Aged; D005810:Multigene Family; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D009389:Neovascularization, Pathologic; D010950:Plasma Cells / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000473:pathology; D014407:Tumor Cells, Cultured
chemical_list: C490538:HOXB7 protein, human; D018398:Homeodomain Proteins; D009363:Neoplasm Proteins