SNP-based mapping arrays reveal high genomic complexity in monoclonal gammopathies, from MGUS to myeloma status

Genetic events mediating transformation from premalignant monoclonal gammopathies (MG) to multiple myeloma (MM) are unknown. To obtain a comprehensive genomic profile of MG from the early to late stages, we performed high-resolution analysis of purified plasma cells from 20 MGUS, 20 smoldering MM (SMM) and 34 MM by high-density 6.0 SNP array. A progressive increase in the incidence of copy number abnormalities (CNA) from MGUS to SMM and to MM (median 5, 7.5 and 12 per case, respectively) was observed (P=0.006). Gains on 1q, 3p, 6p, 9p, 11q, 19p, 19q and 21q along with 1p, 16q and 22q deletions were significantly less frequent in MGUS than in MM. Although 11q and 21q gains together with 16q and 22q deletions were apparently exclusive of MM status, we observed that these abnormalities were also present in minor subclones in MGUS. Overall, a total of 65 copy number-neutral LOH (CNN-LOH) were detected. Their frequency was higher in active MM than in the asymptomatic entities (P=0.047). A strong association between genetic lesions and fragile sites was also detected. In summary, our study shows an increasing genomic complexity from MGUS to MM and identifies new chromosomal regions involved in CNA and CNN-LOH.