Analysis of Ubiquitin-Conjugating Enzyme E2T (UBE2T) Protein Levels in the Bone Marrow Biopsy Specimens of Patients With Multiple Myeloma

Introduction Several studies have reported that the ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme E2 T (UBE2T) is overexpressed in multiple myeloma (MM). This has been assessed via bioinformatic analysis, which represents mRNA expression. However, biological experimental evidence is lacking. Moreover, the protein levels of UBE2T in tissue obtained via bone marrow biopsy are not clear. To identify newer potential therapeutic targets for MM, this study aimed to assess the expression of the UBE2T protein by immunohistochemical (IHC) staining of bone marrow biopsy specimens and also collected clinical data for a correlation analysis. Methods Bone marrow biopsy specimens were obtained from the pathology department between December 2022 and December 2024. The expression of UBE2T protein in them was evaluated by IHC staining. Clinical data of the patients were also collected. These included gender, age, Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) staging category, overall survival and progression-free survival time, and concentrations of hemoglobin (Hb), creatinine (Cr), calcium (Ca), serum beta-2-microglobulin (β2-MG), serum albumin (ALB), and serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH). Furthermore, we investigated the expression of UBE2T in patients with MM belonging to different R-ISS staging categories and its relationship with Hb, Cr, Ca, ALB, β2-MG, and LDH concentrations. Finally, a survival analysis was performed. Results Bone marrow biopsy specimens were obtained from 77 patients with MM and 16 patients with non-hematological conditions (control group). The UBE2T protein was weakly expressed in the control group (IHC results were negative or weakly positive), while it was significantly greater in specimens obtained from patients with MM (P< 0.001 vs. control). The patients with MM were further divided into three groups according to their clinical Revised International Staging System (R-ISS) staging. Compared to patients in R-ISS stage I, the UBE2T protein expression was significantly increased in those in stage II (P<0.05) and III (P<0.0001), whereas patients in stage III showed significantly higher levels than patients in stage II (P<0.01). Additionally, the level of UBE2T protein expression was positively correlated with the serum concentrations of β2-MG (P < 0.001, R²=0.211) and LDH (P < 0.001, R²=0.192). Further, the one-year progression-free survival rate was significantly higher in the low-expression (87.18%, 34/39) vs. the high-expression group (71.05%, 27/38; P<0.05). Conclusions The UBE2T protein is highly expressed in bone marrow biopsy specimens from patients with MM and positively correlates with R-ISS staging categories and serum concentrations of β2-MG and LDH. The comparative one-year progression-free survival rate was also significantly higher in the low-expression vs. the high-expression group. Although larger scale and longer follow-up studies are needed, UBE2T may become a potential indicator for MM detected via bone marrow biopsy and a novel target for its therapy.