Galectin Plasmatic Levels Reveal a Cluster Associated with Disease Aggressiveness and Kidney Damage in Multiple Myeloma Patients

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disease characterized by the proliferation of plasma cells, primarily in the bone marrow. It accounts for approximately 1% of all cancers and 10% of hematologic malignancies. Clinical manifestations include hypercalcemia, anemia, renal failure, and bone lesions. The pathogenesis of MM involves complex interactions between myeloma cells and their microenvironment. Galectins, a family of β-galactoside-binding proteins, particularly galectin-1, -3, -4, -7, and -9, have been implicated in MM development. This study aimed to assess the plasma levels of these galectins in newly diagnosed MM patients and explore their correlation with clinical parameters. Peripheral blood samples were collected from patients at the Oncohematology Service of the Hospital de Câncer de Pernambuco, and galectin levels were measured using ELISA. Plasma levels of galectins-3, -7, and -9 were significantly higher in MM patients compared to the control group. Three clusters of MM patients were identified based on galectin plasma levels, with cluster 3, characterized by high levels of galectin-1, -4, and -7, being associated with a worse prognosis. A strong positive correlation was found between galectin-1, -4, and -7 levels and markers of kidney function (urea, creatinine, and β2-microglobulin), while negative correlations were observed with hematocrit and hemoglobin. Additionally, galectin-9 showed high accuracy in distinguishing MM patients from healthy controls (AUC = 0.931). Elevated galectin levels were indicative of disease aggressiveness and renal impairment in MM patients. Overall, our findings suggest that galectins-1, -4, -7, and -9 could serve as potential biomarkers for MM progression and severity, warranting further investigation into their utility in MM diagnosis and treatment.