FAM72D in plasma cell myeloma: a friend or enemy

Abstract

Abstract Background Plasma cell neoplasm is characterized by complex genetic and prognostic heterogeneity. FAM72D, a gene located on chromosome 1, and the association between its expression and tumor progression and prognosis remain elusive. Methods The present study aims to assess FAM72D mRNA expression in 60 PCM patients and correlate its expression level with clinical and laboratory markers involved in diagnosing and prognosis of PCM using real-time PCR. Results Unpaired t-test revealed a significantly higher FAM72D expression level in the patients than in the control group with a median of 0.890 vs. /0.030, respectively, and p value = 0.000. The highest median level was denoted in newly diagnosed or relapsed patients (1.905, p value = 0.000). A significant positive correlation was found between FAM72D expression level and each of BMPCs count, M band, and β2 microglobulin (p = 0.000, p = 0.002, p = 0.024, respectively), and negative correlations with both serum albumin and hemoglobin level (p = 0.000, p = 0.035, respectively). The risk of relapse was 18.3-fold when the FAM72D level was greater than 1.547. Conclusion The higher FAM72D expression level in newly diagnosed and relapsed myeloma patients and its positive correlation with BMPCs confirm the stimulating effect of FAM72D on myeloma cell proliferation and its poor prognosis.

Keywords

• Plasma cell
• Myeloma
• FAM72
• 1q21