title: MALAT1 long non-coding RNA is overexpressed in multiple myeloma and may serve as a marker to predict disease progression.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The pathogenesis of multiple myeloma involves complex genetic and epigenetic events. This study aimed to investigate the role and clinical relevance of the long non-coding RNA (lncRNA), metastasis-associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1) in multiple myeloma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Bone marrow mononuclear cells were collected for analysis. The samples of multiple myeloma were taken from 45 patients at diagnosis, 61 post-treatment, and 18 who relapsed or had progression. Control samples were collected from 20 healthy individuals. Real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reactions were performed to evaluate the expression of MALAT1. The clinical relevance of MALAT1 expression was also explored.
  
  
  RESULTS
  MALAT1 was overexpressed in the newly diagnosed patients compared with post-treatment patients (mean ∆CT: -5.54 ± 0.16 vs. -3.84 ± 0.09, 3.25-fold change; p < 0.001) and healthy individuals (mean ∆CT: -5.54 ± 0.16 vs. -3.95 ± 0.21, 3.01-fold change; p < 0.001). The expression of MALAT1 strongly correlated with disease status, and the magnitude of change in MALAT1 post-treatment had prognostic relevance. The patients with early progression had a significantly smaller change in MALAT1 after treatment (mean ∆CT change: 1.26 ± 1.06 vs. 2.09 ± 0.79, p = 0.011). A cut-off value of the change in MALAT1 (∆CT change: 1.5) was obtained, and the patients with a greater decrease in MALAT1 (difference in ∆CT >1.5) had significantly longer progression-free survival compared with the patients with a smaller MALAT1 change (24 months vs. 11 months; p = 0.001). For the post-treatment patients, the risk of early progression could be predicted using this cut-off value.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  MALAT1 was overexpressed in patients with myeloma and may play a role in its pathogenesis. In addition, MALAT1 may serve as a molecular predictor of early progression.
authors.forename: Shih-Feng
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Cho
authors.forename: Yuli Christine
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Chao-Sung
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Sheng-Fung
authors.initials: SF
authors.lastname: Lin
authors.forename: Yi-Chang
authors.initials: YC
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.forename: Hui-Hua
authors.initials: HH
authors.lastname: Hsiao
authors.affiliation: Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Kaohsiung Medical University, No,100, Shih-Chuan 1st Road, Kaohsiung 807, Taiwan. d6781@mail.cmuh.org.tw.
authors.forename: Jan-Gowth
authors.initials: JG
authors.lastname: Chang
authors.forename: Ta-Chih
authors.initials: TC
authors.lastname: Liu
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000235:genetics*; D001853:Bone Marrow; D018450:Disease Progression; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D015870:Gene Expression; D006801:Humans; D007963:Leukocytes, Mononuclear; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000235:genetics*; D011237:Predictive Value of Tests; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding / Q000235:genetics*; D012372:ROC Curve; D015996:Survival Rate; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; C557041:MALAT1 long non-coding RNA, human; D062085:RNA, Long Noncoding