Plasma cell disorders

A method for diagnosing a subject suffering from a plasma cell disorder, or a pre-disposition thereto, or for providing a prognosis of the subject's condition, the method comprising analysing the concentration of one or more type of microRNA molecule in a bodily sample from a test subject and comparing this concentration with a reference for the concentration of the one or more type of microRNA molecule in an individual who does not suffer from a plasma cell disorder, wherein a difference in the concentration of the one or more type of microRNA molecule in the bodily sample from the test subject compared to the reference suggests that the subject is suffering from a plasma cell disorder, or has a pre-disposition thereto, or provides a negative prognosis of the subject's condition.

A method of treating an individual suffering from a plasma cell disorder, said method comprising the steps of:

• (i) determining the concentration of one or more microRNA molecule in a sample having been obtained from a test subject, wherein a difference in the concentration of the one or more type of microRNA molecule in the bodily sample from the test subject compared to the concentration of the one or more type of microRNA molecule in a sample from an individual who does not suffer from a plasma cell disorder, suggests that the test subject suffers from a plasma cell disorder, or is pre-disposed thereto, or has a negative prognosis;
• and
• (ii) administering, to the test subject, a therapeutic agent that prevents, reduces or delays progression of the plasma cell disorder.

A method for determining the efficacy of treating a subject suffering from a plasma cell disorder with a therapeutic agent, the method comprising analysing the concentration of one or more type of microRNA molecule in a bodily sample from a test subject and comparing this concentration with a reference for the concentration of the one or more type of microRNA molecule in an individual who does not suffer from a plasma cell disorder, wherein a difference in the concentration of the one or more type of microRNA molecule in the bodily sample compared to the reference is indicative of the efficacy of treating the test subject with the therapeutic agent.