Evaluation of TIE-2 levels in newly diagnosed and untreated multiple myeloma patients

Angiogenesis plays a crucial role in the pathophysiology of multiple myeloma (MM). Tyrosine kinase with immunoglobulin-like and EGF-like domains 2 (TIE-2) is an important regulator of angiogenesis; however, its diagnostic value in MM has not been fully clarified. This study aimed to evaluate the diagnostic significance of serum TIE-2 levels in newly diagnosed, treatment-naïve patients with MM compared with healthy individuals.

In this prospective case-control study conducted at Adana City Training and Research Hospital between September 2017 and June 2021, 38 patients diagnosed with MM according to International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) criteria and 37 healthy volunteers with similar age/gender characteristics were included. Serum TIE-2 levels were measured by ELISA method. Data were statistically analyzed using SPSS 20.0 software.

Serum TIE-2 levels were found to be significantly higher in MM patients compared to the control group (1.4 vs. 0.9 ng/ml; p < 0.001). ROC analysis demonstrated an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.756 (95% CI: 0.643-0.848; p < 0.001). At a cut-off value of > 0.99 ng/mL, the sensitivity was 89.5% and the specificity was 59.5%.

Elevated serum TIE-2 levels in newly diagnosed MM patients suggest that this marker may reflect angiogenesis-related activation associated with MM biology. However, due to its moderate specificity, TIE-2 should be considered a complementary exploratory biomarker rather than a stand-alone diagnostic tool.