Genomics and proteomics in multiple myeloma and Waldenström macroglobulinemia

Travis Henry, Rafael Fonseca

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

5 Scopus citations

Abstract

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Multiple myeloma and Waldenström macroglobulinemia are incurable hematologic malignancies with similar clinical phenotypes characterized by over-production of monoclonal immunoglobulins. Translocations into the immunoglobulin heavy chain locus and aneuploidy are nearly universal in multiple myeloma, whereas Waldenström macroglobulinemia generally does not harbor translocations. Deletion of 6q is identified in 50% of patients with Waldenström macroglobulinemia, however. The genetic abnormalities in multiple myeloma and Waldenström macroglobulinemia have implications for disease progression, and the subsequent proteomic expression associated with each disease influences therapeutic decisions. RECENT FINDINGS: Gene expression profiling in these hematologic malignancies demonstrated distinct differences in mRNA expression patterns. Following profiling, Waldenström macroglobulinemia samples clustered with chronic lymphocytic leukemia and normal B-cell samples. Profiling performed after separation of Waldenström macroglobulinemia samples into populations with plasma cell or B-cell morphology revealed that plasma cell Waldenström macroglobulinemia samples most closely resembled multiple myeloma samples rather than chronic lymphocytic leukemia or normal control samples. SUMMARY: Diverse genetic abnormalities have been identified in these hematologic malignancies, although they have similar clinical features. Gene expression profiling has elucidated the impact of genetic abnormalities. Furthermore, it may be used to identify a specific pathway for therapeutic targeting, such as interleukin-6 in Waldenström macroglobulinemia.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)369-374
Number of pages6
JournalCurrent opinion in hematology
Volume14
Issue number4
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 2007

Keywords

  • Aneuploidy
  • Chromosomal translocation
  • Deletion
  • Haploinsufficiency
  • Nuclear factor-κB

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Hematology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Genomics and proteomics in multiple myeloma and Waldenström macroglobulinemia'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this