microRNA Aberrations in Waldenstrom Macroglobulinemia

Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a low-grade B-cell lymphoma characterized by the presence of lymphoplasmacytic cells in the BM (BM) and monoclonal immunoglobulin M in the circulation. Although WM cells showed minimal changes in cytogenetic studies and gene expression analysis, primary WM tumor cells present with a micro-RNA (miRNA) signature that differentiates them from their normal counterparts. This may suggest the importance of miRNAs in supporting WM pathogenesis. Among deregulated miRNAs, miRNA-155 has been shown to play a pivotal role in the biological characteristics of this disease both in vitro and in vivo, thus providing the rationale for testing miRNA-based therapeutic approaches for the treatment of WM.