Single cell dissection of plasma cell heterogeneity in symptomatic and asymptomatic myeloma.

Abstract

Multiple myeloma, a plasma cell malignancy, is the second most common blood cancer. Despite extensive research, disease heterogeneity is poorly characterized, hampering efforts for early diagnosis and improved treatments. Here, we apply single cell RNA sequencing to study the heterogeneity of 40 individuals along the multiple myeloma progression spectrum, including 11 healthy controls, demonstrating high interindividual variability that can be explained by expression of known multiple myeloma drivers and additional putative factors. We identify extensive subclonal structures for 10 of 29 individuals with multiple myeloma. In asymptomatic individuals with early disease and in those with minimal residual disease post-treatment, we detect rare tumor plasma cells with molecular characteristics similar to those of active myeloma, with possible implications for personalized therapies. Single cell analysis of rare circulating tumor cells allows for accurate liquid biopsy and detection of malignant plasma cells, which reflect bone marrow disease. Our work establishes single cell RNA sequencing for dissecting blood malignancies and devising detailed molecular characterization of tumor cells in symptomatic and asymptomatic patients.

• Authors: Guy Ledergor, Assaf Weiner, Mor Zada, Shuang-Yin Wang, Yael C Cohen, Moshe E Gatt, Nimrod Snir, Hila Magen, Maya Koren-Michowitz, Katrin Herzog-Tzarfati, Hadas Keren-Shaul, Chamutal Bornstein, Ron Rotkopf, Ido Yofe, Eyal David, Venkata Yellapantula, Sigalit Kay, Moshe Salai, Dina Ben Yehuda, Arnon Nagler, Lev Shvidel, Avi Orr-Urtreger, Keren Bahar Halpern, Shalev Itzkovitz, Ola Landgren, Jesus San-Miguel, Bruno Paiva, Jonathan J Keats, Elli Papaemmanuil, Irit Avivi, Gabriel I Barbash, Amos Tanay, Ido Amit
• Journal: Nature medicine (Nat Med) Vol. 24 Issue 12 Pg. 1867-1876 (12 2018) ISSN: 1546-170X [Electronic] United States
• PMID: 30523328 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Topics

• Adult
• Aged
• Aged, 80 and over
• Base Sequence
• Disease Progression
• Female
• Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic
• Genetic Heterogeneity
• Humans
• Male
• Middle Aged
• Multiple Myeloma (blood, genetics, pathology)
• Neoplasm, Residual (blood, genetics, pathology)
• Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (blood, genetics, pathology)