Abstract

Circulating microRNA as Prognostic Marker in Myelodysplastic Syndromes

Zhuang Zuo, Associate Professor, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center

Myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) are a heterogeneous group of clonal bone marrow hematopoietic stem cell disorders characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and peripheral cytopenias. Molecular markers, however, are not integrated into currently used prognostic systems. The goal of this study is to identify plasma microRNAs useful for classification and risk stratification in MDS. We applied a novel, high-throughput digital quantification technology (NanoString) to profile microRNA expression in plasma samples of MDS patients. We correlated these results with overall survival and identified a 7-microRNA signature as an independent predictor of survival. These results validate the utility of circulating microRNA levels as noninvasive biomarkers that can inform the management of MDS patients. Our findings also shed light on interactions of gene regulation pathways likely involved in the pathogenesis of MDS.