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Published on: July 15, 2015
Gene-expression Profiling in Patients with Plasma Cell Myeloma Treated with Novel Agents
Michael Medinger1, Jörg Halter2, Dominik Heim2
1Division of Hematology, Department of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland Division of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, University Hospital Basel, Basel, Switzerland medingerm@uhbs.ch.
Background/Aim:
Novel agents such as thalidomide, lenalidomide and bortezomib have in part anti-angiogenic properties. In this study, we examined gene expression of angiogenic molecules in patients with plasma cell myeloma (PCM).
Materials And Methods:
We included 93 patients with PCM treated with novel agents (immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), bortezomib or a combination of both). The mRNA levels of angiogenic molecules were measured using the Human Angiogenesis RT2 Profiler PCR Array. The response evaluation was performed after three cycles.
Results:
Regarding all 93 patients, gene expression of 15 out of 84 genes tested (pre- and post-treatment and changes in levels pre-treatment/post-treatment) were significantly different in responders compared to non-responders. Responders had a lower expression of pro-angiogenic factors and increased expression of antiangiogenic factors.
Conclusion:
In the IMiD-treated groups we found significant changes of expression of angiogenic genes in responders compared to non-responders, whereas in the bortezomib-based group the difference in expression of angiogenic genes was not significant.
Insights
In plasma cell myeloma patients treated with novel agents, gene expression of angiogenic molecules differed significantly between responders and non-responders. Responders showed lower pro-angiogenic and higher anti-angiogenic factor expression, particularly with immunomodulatory drugs.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Molecular Biology
- Pharmacology
Background:
- Novel agents like thalidomide, lenalidomide, and bortezomib exhibit anti-angiogenic properties.
- Understanding the role of angiogenesis in plasma cell myeloma (PCM) is crucial for treatment strategies.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the gene expression of angiogenic molecules in patients with plasma cell myeloma (PCM).
- To correlate angiogenic gene expression patterns with treatment response to novel agents.
Main Methods:
- Analysis of 93 PCM patients treated with immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), bortezomib, or combination therapy.
- Quantification of mRNA levels for angiogenic molecules using the Human Angiogenesis RT2 Profiler PCR Array.
- Evaluation of treatment response after three cycles of therapy.
Main Results:
- Significant differences in gene expression of 15 out of 84 angiogenic genes were observed between responders and non-responders.
- Responders exhibited lower expression of pro-angiogenic factors and increased expression of anti-angiogenic factors.
- These significant changes were prominent in IMiD-treated groups but not in bortezomib-based groups.
Conclusions:
- Gene expression of angiogenic molecules is significantly altered in responders versus non-responders to novel agents in PCM.
- Immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs) show a significant association between angiogenic gene expression and treatment response.
- Bortezomib-based treatment did not show a significant difference in angiogenic gene expression between responders and non-responders.
