MicroRNA in multiple myeloma
| Authors | |
|---|---|
| Year of publication | 2012 |
| Type | Conference abstract |
| MU Faculty or unit | |
| Citation | |
| Description | MicroRNA (miRNA) are conserved, single-stranded non-coding RNA molecules that affect mRNA stability and influence protein translation. miRNA regulate important processes, such as proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis as well as initiation and progression of tumors. As one of the hot topics of recent years, miRNA have just started to show their whole potential and are being tested in clinical trials as a new treatment strategy (Miravirsen targets miR-122 as the first miRNA-targeted drug for treatment of Hepatitis C). So far, several groups provided detailed analysis of miRNA expression patterns in MM cell lines and in CD138+ primary PCs. Moreover, miRNA have been found outside of cells in body fluids, such as plasma/serum, saliva and urine. Possibly, these extracellular miRNA are involved in cell-cell communication implying that miRNA may convey specific information and may be exported or released from cells in response to various biological stimuli. Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematooncological disease characterized by malignant proliferation of plasma cells (PC) that accumulate in the bone marrow (BM) and displace normal hematopoiesis. Pathogenesis of MM is a continual process that starts from a clone of malignant plasmocytes inducing precancerosis called monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). The mechanism of malignant transformation to MM has not been elucidated so far. With the introduction of new drugs (lenalidomide, bortezomib), MM has become curable - at least for some patients. Fairly recently, miRNA became the hot topic of MM research, and their role in the pathogenesis of this disease is being explored. |
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