title: Identification of circulating microRNAs as diagnostic biomarkers for use in multiple myeloma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell disorder that is characterised by clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow, monoclonal paraprotein in the blood or urine and associated organ dysfunction. It accounts for approximately 1% of cancers and 13% of haematological cancers. Myeloma arises from an asymptomatic proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells termed monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).
  
  
  METHODS
  MicroRNA expression profiling of serum samples was performed on three patient groups as well as normal controls. Validation of the nine microRNAs detected as promising biomarkers was carried out using TaqMan quantitative reverse transcription PCR. MicroRNA levels in serum were normalised using standard curves to determine the numbers of microRNAs per μl of serum.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three serum microRNAs, miR-720, miR-1308 and miR-1246, were found to have potential as diagnostic biomarkers in myeloma. Use of miR-720 and miR-1308 together provides a powerful diagnostic tool for distinguishing normal healthy controls, as well as patients with unrelated illnesses, from pre-cancerous myeloma and myeloma patients. In addition, the combination of miR-1246 and miR-1308 can distinguish MGUS from myeloma patients.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  We have developed a biomarker signature using microRNAs extracted from serum, which has potential as a diagnostic and prognostic tool for multiple myeloma.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Building, Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Falmer, Brighton BN1 9PS, UK.
authors.forename: C I
authors.initials: CI
authors.lastname: Jones
authors.forename: M V
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Zabolotskaya
authors.forename: A J
authors.initials: AJ
authors.lastname: King
authors.forename: H J S
authors.initials: HJ
authors.lastname: Stewart
authors.forename: G A
authors.initials: GA
authors.lastname: Horne
authors.forename: T J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Chevassut
authors.forename: S F
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Newbury
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D035683:MicroRNAs / Q000097:blood*; D046228:Microarray Analysis; D008875:Middle Aged; D008998:Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics; D020133:Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C577700:MIRN1246 microRNA, human; C554019:MIRN130 microRNA, human; C568636:MIRN720 microRNA, human; D035683:MicroRNAs