title: Versican and its associated molecules: potential diagnostic markers for multiple myeloma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Multiple myeloma (MM) represents a malignancy of B-cells characterized by proliferation of malignant plasma cells in the bone marrow (BM). Versican (VCAN), an extracellular matrix (ECM) protein, appears to be involved in multiple processes in several cancers. Identifying optimum diagnostic markers and delineating its association with disease severity might be important for controlling MM.
  
  
  METHODS
  Expression of VCAN and its associated molecules (β-catenin, β1 integrin and FAK) were investigated in 60 subjects to evaluate their usefulness as diagnostic marker. Circulatory and molecular levels of above molecules were analyzed in their BM and Blood using ELISA, Q-PCR and western blotting along with their ROC curve analysis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Circulatory levels of VCAN, β-catenin and FAK were significantly higher in patients with varying significance in each stage. β-Catenin and FAK intracellular levels were significantly elevated in patients. mRNA levels of all molecules were significantly higher in BMMNCs while VCAN and β-catenin also showed increase in PBMCs. Upregulation of these molecules was also observed at protein level. ROC curve analysis for VCAN showed absolute combination of sensitivity and specificity for diagnosis in serum.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Significant elevation of VCAN and its associated molecules imply their role in MM. Optimal sensitivity and specificity of VCAN might utilize its importance as potential marker for active disease.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Nidhi
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gupta
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Rehan
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Khan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Raman
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Medical Oncology, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India.
authors.forename: Lalit
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), New Delhi, India. Electronic address: dralpanasharma@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Alpana
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sharma
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D005260:Female; D051417:Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D015972:Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic; D006801:Humans; D019012:Integrin beta1 / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000378:metabolism; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000235:genetics / Q000473:pathology; D012333:RNA, Messenger / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D012372:ROC Curve; D053675:Versicans / Q000097:blood* / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D051176:beta Catenin / Q000097:blood / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D019012:Integrin beta1; D012333:RNA, Messenger; D051176:beta Catenin; D053675:Versicans; D051417:Focal Adhesion Kinase 1; C496050:PTK2 protein, human
keywords: Diagnostic marker; FAK; Multiple myeloma; Versican; β-Catenin; β1 Integrin