Changes in the intestinal microbiota of multiple myeloma patients living in high-altitude and cold regions analyzed using 16s rRNA high-throughput sequencing

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell clonal disease, and these plasma cells can survive in the gut. The intestinal microbiota is a complex ecosystem, and its dysfunction can release persistent stimulus signals that trigger genetic mutations and clonal evolution in the gut. We analyzed the intestinal microbiota in fecal samples of MM patients in high-altitude and cold regions of China using 16s rRNA sequencing, and analyzed significantly enriched species at the phylum and genus levels. Although no significant difference in the alpha diversity was observed between the MM and control groups, a significant difference was noted in the beta diversity. Fifteen significant differential bacteria at the genus level were found between the two groups, among which Bacteroides, Streptococcus, Lactobacillus, and Alistipes were significantly enriched in the MM group. We also constructed a disease diagnosis model using Random Forest analysis and verified its accuracy using ROC analysis. In addition, using correlation analysis, we demonstrated that the composition of the intestinal microbiota in patients with MM was related to complement levels. Importantly, we predicted that the signaling and metabolic pathways of the intestinal microbiota affect MM progression through KEGG functional analysis. Our study provides a new approach for the prevention and treatment of MM, in which the intestinal microbiota may become a novel therapeutic target for MM.