Identification of biomarkers for early diagnosis of multiple myeloma by weighted gene co-expression network analysis and their clinical relevance

Background: Multiple myeloma is an incurable hematologic malignancy, its early diagnosis is important. However, the biomarker for early diagnosis is limited; hence more need to be identified. The present study aimed to explore the easily tested new biomarker in multiple myeloma by weighted gene co-expression network analysis (WGCNA). Methods: Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were screened using GSE47552. WGCNA was used to screen hub genes. Subsequently. Hub genes of multiple myeloma were obtained by intersection of DEGs and WGCNA. We used the T-test to screen highly expressed genes. Then, the diagnostic value of key genes was evaluated by the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve. Finally, expression levels of key genes were tested and proved by RT-PCR. Results: 278 DEGs were screened by Limma package. Three modules were most significantly correlated with multiple myeloma. 238 key genes were screened after the intersection of WGCNA with DEGs. In addition, SNORNA is rarely studied in multiple myeloma, and ROC curve analysis in our prediction model showed that SNORA71A had a good prediction effect (p = 0.07). The expression of SNORA71A was increased in samples of multiple myeloma (P = 0.05). RT-PCR results showed that SNORA71A was upregulated in 51 patient specimens compared to the healthy group (P < 0.05). Linear correlation analysis showed that creatinine was positively correlated with SNORA71A (r = 0.49 P = 0.0002). Conclusions: This study found that SNORA71A was up-regulated and associated with the clinical stages in multiple myeloma; it suggests that SNORA71A could be used as a novel biomarker for early diagnosis and a potential therapeutic target in multiple myeloma.