microRNAs as the biomarkers of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in patients with multiple myeloma.

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant, incurable neoplastic disease. The currently used treatment significantly improves the prognosis and extends the survival time of patients. Unfortunately, a common side effect of the therapy is peripheral neuropathy, which may lead to dose reduction or complete treatment discontinuation/modification. In this study, we examined the changes in plasma levels of circulating miRNAs in myeloma patients to define potential factors characteristic for drug-induced peripheral neuropathy (DiPN). Global miRNA expression profile in the plasma of patients with MM during treatment was determined using miRNA microarray technology. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) analysis allowed the identification of three miRNAs (miR-22-3p; miR-23a-3p; miR-24-3p) that could be a potential biomarker of PN. The most promising results were obtained for miR-22-3p, which was characterized by ROC area under curve (AUC) = 0.807. Our results suggest a relationship between the DiPN in patients with MM and the level of selected miRNAs in the plasma.