Study of apelin level in multiple myeloma

Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignant disorder characterized by the proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells. Apelin seems to play a role in MM pathogenesis and could be used as a diagnostic and prognostic biomarker. Aim The aim of this study was to evaluate the serum apelin level in patients with MM and its clinical significance. Patients and methods This prospective study was conducted on 60 participants who were divided into 2 groups: 30 patients newly diagnosed as having MM and 30 as a healthy control group. All patients were subjected to clinical evaluation, routine laboratory tests, and serum apelin level evaluation, which was estimated by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results There was a significant decrease in hemoglobin level and platelet count and a significant increase in serum creatinine, blood urea, serum calcium, lactate dehydrogenase, serum β2-microglobulin, and apelin level among patients with MM than control group. There was a statistically significant increase in serum γ globulin level in patients with +ve M band compared with patients with −ve M band group. There was a positive significant correlation between apelin level and serum creatinine, blood urea, serum calcium, plasma cell percentage in bone marrow aspiration, β2 microglobulin, and γ globulin, with no significant correlation with hemoglobin, platelet, and lactate dehydrogenase. Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis showed that the area under curve for apelin in MM was 0.83 ng/l (95% confidence interval: 0.745–0.955, P<0.0001). Conclusion Serum apelin level can be used as a diagnostic marker for MM.