Circulating tumour cells differentially express upregulated cancer biomarkers “lncRNAs and miRNAs” compared to bone marrow biopsy samples in multiple myeloma patients

Abstract

Easy-to-apply liquid biopsy technique and detection of differentially expressed miRNA/lncRNAs (DEGs) may be more beneficial in multiple myeloma (MM) compared to bone marrow (BM) biopsy. We compared the gene expression levels of circulating tumor cells and BM cells in MM patients and showed differentially upregulated circulating tumor cell-derived miRNAs and lncRNAs. DEGs and related biological pathways were identified by using the R-LIMMA package, ShinyGO 0.77, and LncSEA2.0 tools. Three hundred nine lncRNAs/16 miRNAs were detected as differentially upregulated in MM patients’ circulating tumour cells. Among them, miRNAs (mainly has-miR-103a) and lncRNAs (MEG3, NEAT1, PCAT1) were detected, and only a few miRNAs and lncRNAs were related to MM in a limited number of studies. Drugs that interact with these lncRNAs were also identified. The fact that miRNAs/lncRNAs related to MM are also detected in tumor circulating cells indicates that a technically easier liquid biopsy may verify and even replace BM biopsy. © 2024 Ondokuz Mayis Universitesi. All rights reserved.