Guidelines on the diagnosis and management of multiple myeloma 2005

Patient-reported symptoms and diagnostic journey in Multiple Myeloma

Introduction

Late presentation of multiple myeloma (MM) heightens the risk of complication risks, including end-organ damage. This study aimed to: 1) detail the diagnostic journey of MM patients, encompassing symptoms, initial diagnoses, and healthcare professionals met; 2) establish the median duration from symptom onset to MM diagnosis; and 3) examine factors linked to timely MM diagnosis within 12 weeks.

Methods

A total of 300 adults self-reporting MM were analysed from the Rare and Undiagnosed Diseases cohort Study (RUDY). The RUDY study is a web-based platform, where participants provide dynamic consent and self-report their MM diagnosis and information about their diagnostic journey. This includes the estimated date of initial potential first symptoms, descriptions of these symptoms, the healthcare professionals they consulted, and other diagnoses received before the MM diagnosis. Descriptive statistics, combinatorial analyses and logistic regression analyses were used to describe and examine the diagnostic journey of individuals with MM.

Results

Overall, 52% of the participants reported other diagnoses before MM diagnosis, with musculoskeletal disorders (47.8%), such as osteoporosis, costochondritis, or muscle strains, being the most common. The most prevalent initial reported symptom was back pain/vertebral fractures (47%), followed by chest/shoulder pain, including rib pain and fractures (20%), and fatigue/tiredness (19.7%). 40% of participants were diagnosed by direct referral from primary care to haematology without seeing other healthcare professionals whilst 60% consulted additional specialists before diagnosis. The median time from symptom onset to MM diagnosis was 4 months (IQR 2-10 months, range 0-172). Seeing an Allied Healthcare Professional such as a physiotherapist, chiropractor or an osteopath (OR = 0.25, 95% CI [0.12, 0.47], p <0.001), experiencing infection symptoms (OR = 0.32, 95% CI [0.13, 0.76], p = 0.013), and having chest or shoulder pain (OR = 0.45, 95% CI [0.23, 0.86], p = 0.020) were associated with a lower likelihood of being diagnosed with MM within 12 weeks. Older age (OR = 1.04, 95% CI [1.02, 1.07], p = 0.001) was associated with a higher likelihood of diagnosis within 12 weeks.

Discussion

Developing resources for allied health professionals may improve early recognition of MM.

Diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in diagnosis, staging, and treatment response assessment of multiple myeloma: a systematic review and meta-analysis

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the role of diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI) in the initial diagnosis, staging, and assessment of treatment response in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A systematic literature review was conducted in PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Scopus, and Web of Science databases. The primary endpoints were defined as the diagnostic performance of DWI for disease detection, staging of MM, and assessing response to treatment in these patients.

RESULTS

Of 5881 initially reviewed publications, 33 were included in the final qualitative and quantitative meta-analysis. The diagnostic performance of DWI in the detection of patients with MM revealed pooled sensitivity and specificity of 86% (95% CI: 84-89) and 63% (95% CI: 56-70), respectively, with a diagnostic odds ratio (OR) of 14.98 (95% CI: 4.24-52.91). The pooled risk difference of 0.19 (95% CI: - 0.04-0.42) was reported in favor of upstaging with DWI compared to conventional MRI (P value = 0.1). Treatment response evaluation and ADC_mean value changes across different studies showed sensitivity and specificity of approximately 78% (95% CI: 72-83) and 73% (95% CI: 61-83), respectively, with a diagnostic OR of 7.21 in distinguishing responders from non-responders.

CONCLUSIONS

DWI is not only a promising tool for the diagnosis of MM, but it is also useful in the initial staging and re-staging of the disease and treatment response assessment. This can aid clinicians with earlier initiation or change in treatment strategy, which could have prognostic significance for patients.

Recommendations on the management of multiple myeloma in 2020

With the introduction of immunomodulatory drugs, proteasome inhibitors, and anti-CD38 monoclonal antibodies, major improvements have been achieved in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), with a significant impact on the outcome of this disease. Different treatment combinations are now in use and other therapies are being developed. Based on an extensive review of the recent literature, we propose practical recommendations on myeloma management, to be used by hematologists as a reference for daily practice.

Exploring Stem Cell Transplanted Patients' Perspectives on Medication Self-Management and Electronic Monitoring Devices Measuring Medication Adherence: A Qualitative Sub-Study of the Swiss SMILe Implementation Science Project

PURPOSE

Little is known about allogeneic stem cell transplant (alloSCT) patients' medication adherence strategies. Acceptability and preferences regarding electronic monitoring (EM) systems to assess all three phases of medication adherence (ie, initiation, implementation, persistence) are crucial to allow their successful implementation in clinical or research settings but have not yet been evaluated. We therefore aimed to explore: 1) alloSCT patients' medication adherence and self-management strategies; and 2) their acceptability and preferences of three different EM systems (MEMS Cap, Helping Hand, Button) as part of the Swiss SMILe study.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Respecting anti-pandemic measures, we used a purposive sample of six adult alloSCT patients from the University Hospital Basel, Switzerland (USB)-6 weeks to 2 years post-alloSCT-to conduct three focus group sessions with two patients each. Using a semi-structured outline, we explored 1) patients' medication adherence strategies and medication self-management; and 2) their acceptance and preferences regarding EM use. The three tested EM systems were available for testing during each session. Discussions were audio-recorded, visualized using mind-mapping and analyzed using Mayring's qualitative content analysis.

RESULTS

Patients (33% females; mean age 54.6±16.3 years; 10.4±8.4 months post-alloSCT) used medication adherence enhancing strategies (eg, preparing pillbox, linking intake to a habit). Still, they indicated that post-alloSCT medication management was challenging (eg, frequent schedule changes). All participants preferred the MEMS Button. Participants said its small size and the possibility to combine it with existing pillboxes (eg, putting it into/next to them) made them more confident about implementing it in their daily lives.

CONCLUSION

Regarding EM systems for medication adherence, end-user preferences and acceptability influence adoption and fidelity. Of the three systems tested, our sample found the MEMS Button most acceptable and most preferable. Therefore, we will use it for our USB SMILe study.

Clinical features and diagnosis of multiple myeloma: a population-based cohort study in primary care

OBJECTIVES

Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) experience significant delays in diagnosis due to non-specific symptomatology. The aim of this study was to characterise the frequency and timing of clinical features in the primary care setting prior to MM diagnosis.

DESIGN

Population-based cohort study.

SETTING

Electronic health records data of approximately 17 million patients (2006-2016) within the UK Clinical Practice Research Datalink.

PARTICIPANTS

Patients aged ≥18 years with newly diagnosed MM (NDMM), no history of solid tumours and ≥2 years registration in a primary care practice prior to MM diagnosis.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Clinical features and symptoms including bone pain, skeletal-related events (SREs), investigation and confirmation of MM diagnostic CRAB criteria (hyperCalcaemia, Renal impairment, Anaemia, Bone lesions) during the 2 years prior to MM diagnosis; time between symptom manifestation and/or relevant investigation and diagnosis of MM.

RESULTS

Among 2646 patients with NDMM, 47.5% had a bone pain record during the 2-year period prior to MM diagnosis, mainly affecting the back. Regardless of baseline bone pain, investigations for serum calcium level were used in 36.4% of patients prior to MM diagnosis, followed by haemoglobin (65.6%) or renal function (74.1%). Median (Q1, Q3) time from first-recorded bone pain to MM diagnosis was 220 (80, 476) days. Median (Q1, Q3) time from first-recorded hypercalcaemia, renal impairment or anaemia to MM diagnosis was 23 (12, 46), 58 (17, 254) and 73 days (28, 232), respectively. An imaging investigation or referral for imaging was recorded for 60.0% of patients with bone pain/SRE and 32% without.

CONCLUSIONS

Nearly half of patients diagnosed with NDMM presented with bone pain approximately 7 months prior to MM diagnosis. Investigations to evaluate all CRAB criteria, including targeted imaging, were underused. Early recognition of myeloma clinical features and optimised use of investigations in primary care may potentially expedite MM diagnosis.

Burden of Treatment-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Patients with Multiple Myeloma in Sweden

INTRODUCTION

Treatment-induced peripheral neuropathy (TIPN) is a complication of multiple myeloma (MM) treatment.

OBJECTIVE

This real-world, retrospective study used electronic medical record (EMR) data from 3 Swedish clinics to assess the occurrence and economic burden of TIPN in patients with MM.

METHODS

Eligible patients had an MM diagnosis in the Swedish Cancer Registry between 2006 and 2015 and initiated treatment during that period. Follow-up was until last EMR visit, death, or study end (April 2017). The current analyses included patients receiving bortezomib, lenalidomide, carfilzomib, or thalidomide at any treatment line. To discern healthcare resource utilization (HCRU) and costs associated with TIPN from other causes, patients with TIPN were matched with those without on baseline characteristics, treatment, and line of therapy. All analyses were descriptive.

RESULTS

Overall, 457 patients were included; 102 (22%) experienced TIPN. Patients experiencing TIPN during first-line treatment mostly received bortezomib-based regimens (n = 48/57 [84%]); those with TIPN during second- and third/fourth-line treatment mostly received lenalidomide/thalidomide-based regimens (19/31 [61%], 8/14 [57%], respectively). Patients with TIPN had higher HCRU/costs than those without TIPN (mean differences in hospital outpatient visits: 5.2, p = 0.0031; total costs per patient-year: EUR 17,183, p = 0.0007).

CONCLUSIONS

Effective MM treatments associated with a reduced incidence of TIPN could result in decreased healthcare expenditure.

Measurement of Monoclonal Immunoglobulin Protein Concentration in Serum Protein Electrophoresis: Comparison of Automated vs Manual/Human Readings

BACKGROUND

Protein concentration of monoclonal immunoglobulin in plasma-cell myeloma/multiple myeloma provides an estimate of the tumor mass and allows for monitoring of the response to treatment. Accurate and reproducible estimates of the monoclonal immunoglobulin concentration are important for patient care.

OBJECTIVE

To address the optimum method for estimation of the concentration of monoclonal immunoglobulins.

METHODS

Serum protein electrophoresis and immunofixation electrophoresis were conducted by using the Helena SPIFE Touch instrument. Estimation of the protein concentration of monoclonal immunoglobulin in the gamma region by computer-assisted reading was compared with the reading by technologists and pathology residents, in 300 gels. The data were compared using t-testing and analysis of variance.

RESULTS

Computer-generated readings had a consistent positive bias. The correlation coefficient of the average reading by technologists and residents with the computer generated value was 0.997. The average positive bias by the computer reading was 0.29 g per dL. The intercept on the regression analysis was 0.22 g per dL. The reading by the computer was significantly higher than each of the human-interpreted readings. The readings by the 3 human groups were not significantly different amongst them. The main reason for the higher reading by the computer was inclusion of a greater area on the anodal size of the peak on the densitometric scan.

CONCLUSIONS

Human- and computer-interpreted readings of the protein concentration of monoclonal immunoglobulin have a high degree of correlation. The consistent positive bias by the computer reading occurred due to inclusion of a greater area of the densitometric scan on the anodal side of the peak. We suggest that vendors should adjust such computer programs to provide readings comparable to those generated by expert humans. We recommend manual delineation of the monoclonal peaks for measuring the concentration of monoclonal immunoglobulins.

Theory-driven development of a medication adherence intervention delivered by eHealth and transplant team in allogeneic stem cell transplantation: the SMILe implementation science project

BACKGROUND

Medication adherence to immunosuppressants in allogeneic stem cell transplantation (alloSCT) is essential to achieve favorable clinical outcomes (e.g. control of Graft-versus-Host Disease). Over 600 apps supporting medication adherence exist, yet they lack successful implementation and sustainable use likely because of lack of end-user involvement and theoretical underpinnings in their development and insufficient attention to implementation methods to support their use in real-life settings. Medication adherence has three phases: initiation, implementation and persistence. We report the theory-driven development of an intervention module to support medication adherence (implementation and persistence phase) in alloSCT outpatients as a first step for future digitization and implementation in clinical setting within the SMILe project (Development, implementation and testing of an integrated care model in allogeneic SteM cell transplantatIon faciLitated by eHealth).

METHODS

We applied Michie's Behavior Change Wheel (BCW) and the Capability-Opportunity-Motivation and Behavior (COM-B) model using three suggested stages followed by one stage added by our team regarding preparation for digitization of the intervention: (I) Defining the problem in behavioral terms; (II) Identifying intervention options; (III) Identifying content and implementation options; (IV) SMILe Care Model Prototype Development. Scientific evidence, data from a contextual analysis and patients'/caregivers' and clinical experts' inputs were compiled to work through these steps.

RESULTS

(I) Correct immunosuppressant taking and timing were defined as target behaviors. The intervention's focus was determined within the COM-B dimensions Capability (lack of knowledge, lack of routine), Opportunity (lack of cues, interruptions in daily routine) and Motivation (lack of problem solving, trivialization). (II) Five intervention functions were chosen, i.e. education, training, modelling, persuasion and enablement. (III) Twenty-four behavior change techniques were selected, e.g., goal setting, action planning and problem solving. (IV) Finally, seventeen user stories were developed to guide the SMILeApp's software development process.

CONCLUSION

Our example on the theory-driven development of an intervention module in alloSCT delivered by eHealth and transplant team using a rigorous 3 + 1-stage approach based on BCW, COM-B and agile software development techniques, can be used as methodological guidance for other eHealth intervention developers. Our approach has the potential to enhance successful implementation and sustained use of eHealth solutions in real-life settings.

No decrease in fracture risk despite 15 years of treatment evolution for multiple myeloma patients: A Danish nationwide case-control study

RATIONALE

While treatment strategies for multiple myeloma have evolved radically over the last decades, little is known about the risk of fractures for symptomatic multiple myeloma patients over time.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the effect of different treatment periods (1996-2000, 2001-2006 and 2007-2011) on the risk of fractures in patients with multiple myeloma.

METHODS

This retrospective case-control study included patients with multiple myeloma in Denmark, using the Danish National Health Service. Cases were defined as patients who had sustained a fracture between 1996 and 2011, and controls were those without a fracture. Exposure was defined as an ICD code for multiple myeloma. Vertebral fractures, gender, and age were considered in secondary analyses. Conditional logistic regression was used to estimate odd ratios (ORs) of fracture risk, and the analyses were adjusted for comorbidities and recent drug use.

RESULTS

The study population consisted of 925,341 cases, and the same number of matched controls, of whom 1334 patients with multiple myeloma. Among cases, the risk of any fracture was higher in multiple myeloma patients compared to patients without multiple myeloma (any fracture: OR_adj[95% CI] 1996-2000: 1.7[1.3-2.3]; 2001-2006: 1.3[1.1-1.6]; 2007-2011: 1.7[1.4-2.2]). Although fractures were mainly non-vertebral, the risk of vertebral fractures in particular was higher in multiple myeloma patients (vertebral fracture: OR_adj[95% CI] 1996-2000: 3.5[1.4-8.6]; 2001-2006: 4.0[1.9-8.2]; 2007-2011: 3.0[1.6-5.7]).

CONCLUSIONS

Despite new treatment strategies and improved supportive care, this study showed no decreased fracture risk for multiple myeloma patients over time. New treatment strategies, even if they have a positive impact on overall survival, offer no guarantee for a corresponding reduction in bone lesions.

Multiple myeloma of young adult presented with paraplegia, rare case report in Saudi Arabia

Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematologic malignancy. It is characterized by the neoplastic proliferation of plasma cells in the bone marrow, leading to excessive production of monoclonal immunoglobulin. The mean age at diagnosis is 65 years. There are only a few cases of Multiple Myeloma arising in young population reported in the literature. We present a case of 33-years-old male presented with complete bilateral lower limbs paralysis and loss of sensation which were gradual in onset and accompanied by upper and lower back pain for 1 month. MRI of the whole spine show multiple infiltrative bone marrow high signal in T2 and STIR sequences involve C4 and the upper dorsal vertebral bodies and the spinous process of D4 with left para-spinal and large posterior epidural mass compress the spinal cord. CT guidance obtains three samples from the mass and placed in formalin in separate containers. Histopathology examination revealed neoplastic growth composed of Sheet of diffuse atypical plasma cells infiltrating fibro collagenous and adipose tissue. Although Multiple myeloma is a disease of elderly; it still could present in young age group. Histopathology examination is the gold standard for diagnosis.

Underutilization of guideline-recommended supportive care among older adults with multiple myeloma in the United States

BACKGROUND

With improving survival for patients with multiple myeloma (MM), supportive care that is focused on optimizing quality of life and minimizing treatment-related toxicities is increasingly important. The extent to which patients with MM are receiving recommended supportive care is unknown.

METHODS

This study used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database to identify older adults (age ≥66 years) diagnosed with MM in 2008-2013 who had received active treatment and survived 1 year or longer after their diagnosis. Outcomes of interest included guideline-recommended supportive care, which was defined as 1) bone-modifying drugs (BMDs) within the 12 months after the diagnosis, 2) influenza vaccination in the first season after the diagnosis, and 3) concomitant use of prophylactic antivirals with proteasome inhibitors. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between patient/facility-level characteristics and supportive care use.

RESULTS

Among 1996 patients receiving MM-directed therapy, 64%, 52%, and 49% received BMDs, an influenza vaccination, and antiviral prophylaxis, respectively. Non-Hispanic black patients (odds ratio [OR] vs white patients, 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46-0.88) and patients with baseline renal impairment (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.34-0.54) had lower odds of BMDs. Non-Hispanic blacks (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.37-0.73) and those with dual Medicaid enrollment (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.58-0.99) had lower odds of influenza vaccination. Treatment in a community-based setting was associated with reduced odds of antiviral prophylaxis (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.46-0.72).

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial underutilization of guideline-recommended supportive care was observed among older adults with MM in the United States, and this was associated with both patient and facility characteristics. Targeted interventions are needed to improve supportive care for patients with MM.

Gastrointestinal bleeding as initial presentation of extramedullary plasma cell neoplasms: A case report and review of the literature

BACKGROUND

Plasma-cell neoplasms rarely involve the gastrointestinal tract and manifest as gastrointestinal bleeding. Plasmablastic myeloma is an aggressive plasma cell neoplasm associated with poor outcomes. A small number of cases with gastrointestinal involvement is reported in the literature and therefore high index of suspicion is essential for avoiding delays in diagnosis and treatment.

CASE SUMMARY

Our aim is to present our experience of a 70-year-old patient with a secondary presentation of plasmablastic myeloma manifesting as unstable upper gastrointestinal bleeding and to review the literature with the view to consolidate and discuss information about diagnosis and management of this rare entity. In addition to our case, a literature search (PubMed database) of case reports of extramedullary plasma cell neoplasms manifesting as upper gastrointestinal bleeding was performed. Twenty-seven cases of extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) involving the stomach and small bowel presenting with upper gastrointestinal bleeding were retrieved. The majority of patients were males (67%). The average age on diagnosis was 62.7 years. The most common site of presentation was the stomach (41%), followed by the duodenum (15%). The most common presenting complaint was melena (44%). In the majority of cases, the EMPs were a secondary manifestation (63%) at the background of multiple myeloma (26%), plasmablastic myeloma (7%) or high-grade plasma cell myeloma (4%). Oesophagogastroscopy was the main diagnostic modality and chemotherapy the preferred treatment option for secondary EMPs.

CONCLUSION

Despite their rare presentation, upper gastrointestinal EMPs should be considered in the differential diagnosis of patients with gastrointestinal bleeding especially in the presence of systemic haematological malignancy.

Rapid in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry: a pilot comparative study of two rapid diagnostic techniques for establishing monoclonality in plasma cell dyscrasias

Background

Light chain restriction needs to be established on the paraffin embedded tissue in certain types of plasma cell dyscrasias when serum levels of monoclonal immunoglobulins and light chain assays in the urine and serum may be normal. Rapid-in-situ-hybridisation (RISH) is thought to be a superior to immunohistochemistry (IHC) for kappa and lambda staining due to brighter and crisp staining without any background.

Methods

Fifty cases were included in this pilot study. Serum light chain restriction status of the case was taken as gold standard. The results of standard IHC for kappa and lambda immunoglobulins on the bone marrow biopsy of these cases was compared with RISH performed by the two commercially available kits. The results of the two methods were compared for sensitivity, need to repeat the test and background staining.

Results

The study found that in IHC first run sensitivity was 58% which improved to 88% after the second run. For RISH the sensitivity was 100%.

Conclusion

Rapid-in-situ-hybridisation (RISH) is a superior technique to IHC for detecting kappa and lambda light chain in plasma cells. The test is as labour intensive and time consuming as the routine IHC but has no background staining with more bright and crisp staining quality.

Cost of Illness in Patients with Multiple Myeloma in Italy: The CoMiM Study

Aims and background

Multiple myeloma is the second most common hematological cancer. Although it accounts for only a relatively small percentage of all cancer types, the costs associated with managing multiple myeloma are considerable. Available studies are mainly focused on health care costs. The Costo del Mieloma Multiplo (Cost of MM, CoMiM) study investigated the cost of illness of multiple myeloma in Italy during one year of disease management.

Methods

CoMiM is a retrospective, prevalence-based, multi-center, cross-sectional study based on a stratified sample of patients seen during normal clinical practice (asymptomatic; symptomatic on drugs; symptomatic receiving autologous stem cell transplantation; plateau/remission). Demographics, clinical history, health care and non-health care resource consumption data were collected. Costs were evaluated from the societal viewpoint and expressed in Euro 2008.

Results

Data on 236 patients were analyzed (39 asymptomatic, 17%; 29 symptomatic receiving autologous stem-cell transplantation, 12%; 105 symptomatic receiving drugs, 44%; 63 plateau/remission, 27%). The total cost of illness reached € 19,267.1 ± 25,078.6 (asymptomatic, € 959.3 ± 1091.6; symptomatic receiving drugs, € 21,707.8 ± 21,785.3; symptomatic receiving autologous stem-cell transplantation, € 59,243.7 ± 24,214.0; plateau/remission, € 8130.7 ± 15,092.5). The main cost drivers of total cost of illness were drugs and hospital admissions (46.1% and 29.4%, respectively). Antineoplastics and immunomodulators drove the cost of drugs (21.6% and 21.1% of the total cost of illness). Cost of antineoplastics was led by bortezomib (97.4%), whereas the cost driver for immunomodulators was lenalidomide (99.4%). Cost of hospitalization funded by the Italian National Health Service was strongly influenced by transplantation (94.6%), whereas chemotherapy and skeletal fractures did not exceed 1% and 2%, respectively.

Conclusions

Despite some limitations, the CoMiM study provides Italian health care decision-makers with an insight into the stratified cost of illness of multiple myeloma patients.

Outcome and survival of myeloma patients diagnosed 2008-2015. Real-world data on 4904 patients from the Swedish Myeloma Registry

Epidemiology and outcome of myeloma are mainly reported from large university centers and collaborative groups, and do not represent ‘real-world’ patients. The Swedish Myeloma Registry is a prospective population-based registry documenting characteristics, treatment and outcome in newly diagnosed myeloma, including asymptomatic and localized forms, with the purpose of improving disease management and outcome. This report presents information on patients diagnosed between 2008 and 2015, including data on first-line treatment in patients diagnosed up to 2014, with a follow up until December 2016. We present age-adjusted incidence, patients’ characteristics at baseline, treatment, response, and survival. Baseline data were available with a 97% coverage in 4904 patients (median age 71 years, males 70 years, females 73 years; 72% were 65 years or older), and at 1-year follow up in 3558 patients with symptomatic disease (92% of patients initially reported). The age-adjusted incidence was 6.8 myeloma cases per 100,000 inhabitants per year. Among initially symptomatic patients (n=3988), 77% had osteolytic lesions or compression fractures, 49% had anemia, 18% impaired kidney function, and 13% hypercalcemia. High-dose therapy with autologous stem cell transplantation was given to 77% of patients aged up to 66 years, and to 22% of patients aged 66–70 years. In the study period, 68% received bortezomib, thalidomide, and/or lenalidomide as part of the first-line treatment, rising from 31% in 2008 to 81% in 2014. In active myeloma, the median relative survival of patients aged 65 years or under was 7.7 years, and 3.4 years in patients aged 66 years and over. Patients diagnosed with myeloma in more recent years were associated with significantly higher rates of complete or very good partial remission (P<0.05), and with a significantly higher survival, with a Hazard Ratio (HR) of 0.84 (95%CI: 0.77–0.92; P<0.05). There was a small, but significant survival benefit in patients treated at university hospitals (HR 0.93; 95%CI: 0.87–0.99; P<0.05). We report here on a near complete ‘real-world’ population of myeloma patients during an 8-year period; a period in which newer drugs were implemented into standard practice. The overall incidence and median age were both higher than in most previous studies, indicating a more complete coverage of older patients. Myeloma survival in Sweden is comparable to other large registry studies, and responses and survival improved during the study period.

Multiple myeloma presenting with bilateral ankle pain (microangiopathy) and complicated by streptococcal meningitis and Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia

Multiple myeloma is characterised by the neoplastic proliferation of a single clone of plasma cells producing a monoclonal immunoglobulin. This clone of plasma cells proliferates in the bone marrow, resulting in extensive skeletal destruction with osteolytic lesions, osteopenia and pathological fractures. Additional disease-related complications include hypercalcaemia, renal insufficiency, anaemia and infection. We present the case of a 64-year-old woman presenting with rapid onset, painful distal symmetrical lower limb weakness and an acute kidney injury. Owing to her IgG κ paraprotein (kappa light chain 4620, kappa:lambda ratio 826), she was diagnosed with probable plasma cell myeloma. This diagnosis was confirmed following a trephine biopsy. She required renal replacement therapy, inotropic support and a percutaneous tracheostomy. She became acutely confused with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 10/15 and a CT head showed no acute pathology. Further investigation with a lumbar puncture confirmed the diagnosis of streptococcal meningitis. She was treated with intravenous acyclovir, ceftriaxone and fluconazole. Her non-bronchoalveolar lavage revealed a diagnosis of Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia and she required treatment with co-trimoxazole. This case report discusses the clinical presentation, diagnostic algorithm and treatment of myeloma. This manuscript offers an important clinical reminder to consider myeloma in the differential diagnosis in patients presenting with bone pain and acute kidney injury.

Acute complications in multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma is a malignant disorder of plasma cells, characterized by uncontrolled and progressive proliferation of a single clone of plasma cells. The disease leads to progressive morbidity and eventual mortality by lowering resistance to infection and causing significant skeletal destruction with bone pain, pathological fractures and hypercalcemia. Improved understanding of the multiple myeloma biology along with the discovery of novel anti-myeloma agents has led to a better-quality treatment of these patients. However, it still remains an incurable disease for the vast majority of patients, with a median survival 2-3 years. Patients with multiple myeloma frequently develop complications that are reason for early mortality within 60 days of diagnosis. Acute complications such as hyperviscosity syndrome, hypercalcemia, spinal cord compression, early infection, bone disease and renal impairment may be life-threatening. The treatment of these medical emergencies has greatly decreased morbidity and early mortality in patients.

Amyloidosis Presenting as Macroglossia and Restricted Tongue Movement

Amyloidosis (AL) is a well recognized cause of macroglossia. A case of localized deposition of systemic amyloidosis secondary to multiple myeloma is reported in a 63-year-old female presenting with restricted tongue movement in the dental setting. Amyloidosis secondary to multiple myeloma is well documented in the literature, with amyloid deposits being found at various sites throughout the oral cavity and systemically. This case emphasizes the importance of a full oral soft tissue examination, including the need to examine mobility of the tissues, as it was the restricted movement of the tongue that ultimately alerted the clinician to the diagnosis. This report also highlights other dental implications of managing patients with multiple myeloma and amyloidosis. Clinical relevance: To provide an understanding of what multiple myeloma and amyloidosis are whilst, importantly, relating this to how these conditions can impact on routine dental treatment.

Combined use of free light chain and heavy/light chain ratios allow diagnosis and monitoring of patients with monoclonal gammopathies: Experience of a single institute, with three exemplar case reports

Monoclonal gammopathies are characterized by serum monoclonal component (MC) plus an intact immunoglobulin and a free light chain (FLC), or a combination of both. The measurement of FLC with Freelite^® is the standard practice recommended by International Myeloma Working Group guidelines. Recently, Hevylite^® heavy/light chains (HLC) assays were introduced to specifically target junctional epitopes between the heavy and light chains of intact immunoglobulins, allowing the independent quantification of the involved (MC) and uninvolved (polyclonal immunoglobulin background) HLC isotype. Between January 2012 and March 2014, 90 patients were examined: 49 multiple myeloma (MM), 6 smoldering MM (SMM) and 35 monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Of these 90 patients, 300 samples were collected at different times. The diagnostic and monitoring contribution of Hevylite A and G assays was assessed in all 90 patients examined. Additionally, 3 representative cases were selected. The Hevylite absolute values and ratio demonstrated high sensitivity and specificity with respect to serum protein electrophoresis and serum immunofixation. The combined use of Hevylite A and G with Freelite was particularly useful in dubious cases with more than one MC or with co-migrating components, as well as in the course of monitoring to assess the independent change of FLC and HLC, possibly reflecting the presence of clonal heterogeneity in the cohort. From this study, it can be concluded that FLC and HLC are independent, useful markers to monitor the MC and to assess with greater specificity and sensitivity the effect of therapy, thereby providing clinical support. Further studies are required to assess the prognostic potential of Hevylite in MGUS and SMM.

Secondary immunodeficiency in lymphoproliferative malignancies

Secondary immunodeficiencies occur as a consequence of various diseases, including hematological malignancies, and the use of pharmacological therapies, such as immunosuppressive, anti-inflammatory, and biological drugs. Infections are the main cause of morbidity and mortality in multiple myeloma (MM) and chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) patients. Recent advances in treatment have prolonged the duration of remission and the time between relapse phases in MM and CLL patients. However, managing multiple relapses and the use of salvage therapies can lead to cumulative immunosuppression and a higher risk of infections. The pathogenesis of immune deficiency secondary to lymphoproliferative malignancy is multifactorial including disease- and treatment-related factors. Supportive treatment, including early vaccination, anti-infective prophylaxis, and replacement immunoglobulin, plays a key role in preventing infections in MM and CLL. This article provides an overview of the basic immunology necessary to understand the pathogenesis of secondary immunodeficiency and the infectious complications in MM and CLL. We also discuss the evidence supporting the role of prophylactic replacement immunoglobulin treatment in patients with antibody failure secondary to MM and CLL and the indications for its use. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Solitary Extramedullary Plasmacytoma of the Maxillary Sinus, Progressing to Smoldering Multiple Myeloma with Multifocal Skeletal Involvement, which Resolved Completely Following Chemotherapy Alone

Plasmacytoma is an uncommon malignant tumor originating either from plasma cells located in the bone marrow also known as the solitary bone plasmacytoma, or from plasma cells located outside the bone, for e.g. in mucosal surfaces, referred to as the extramedullary plasmacytoma also called the solitary extramedullary plasmacytoma. Both, solitary as well as extramedullary bone plasmacytomas may, particularly in later stages, be accompanied by other osteolytic bone lesions (multifocal bone involvement) and features such as anemia, hypercalcemia, or renal impairment attributable to and indicative of progression to multiple myeloma. These three distinct disorders together comprise the plasma cell neoplasms and essentially represent a continuum of related disease processes. Extramedullary and solitary bone plasmacytomas of the head and neck region are extremely uncommon, and amongst them plasmacytoma of the maxilla is extremely rare. Such a case is being reported here for its rarity. Also, it was associated with multifocal skeletal involvement, making a correct categorization difficult as well as imperative in order to institute the correct treatment. Radiotherapy is considered to be the treatment of choice of plasmacytoma, with adjuvant chemotherapy for multi focal involvement. Surgery is usually limited to biopsy and excision of any residual disease following radiotherapy. The case presented responded extremely well to chemotherapy alone, with a complete resolution of the maxillary tumor, obviating the need for radiotherapy.

The Prevalence and Management of Multiple Myeloma-Induced Kidney Disease in China

BACKGROUND

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a clonal B-cell malignancy of the bone marrow. Renal impairment is a common complication of MM. So far, there is no systematic overview of MM-induced kidney disease in China.

SUMMARY

The incidence of MM is 0.6/100,000 in China. Twenty-four, 19.7, and 30.8% of all patients with MM had renal insufficiency [defined by serum creatinine (Scr) ≥2 mg/dl] at diagnosis in China mainland, Hong Kong and Taiwan, respectively. Novel criteria based on the estimated glomerular filtration rate measurements are recommended for the assessment of renal function in patients with MM with stabilized Scr. It is reported that 78% of the MM patients had a creatinine clearance rate (Ccr) <90 ml/min, and 30.5% had a Ccr <30 ml/min. The IgG type was the most prevalent in MM patients; the light-chain and IgD type usually had a higher rate of kidney damage than others. New more effective drugs, blood purification technology and peripheral blood autologous stem cell transplantation have been introduced in clinical practice. Unfortunately, the studies conducted in the patients with renal insufficiency were almost all retrospective, had a small sample size and a short follow-up time. Although new treatments such as bortezomib are more widely used than before, traditional chemotherapy is still used, also because of economic constraints. The RIFLE criteria, which seem to be appropriate to define the severity of acute kidney injury (AKI), have been extensively validated worldwide but rarely in patients with MM. It was the first time to apply the RIFLE system to analyze the natural history of MM patients with AKI retrospectively in our unit. The severity of AKI defined by using the RIFLE criteria (OR = 2.04, p = 0.06) was associated with a marginal better long-term outcome.

KEY MESSAGES

Novel criteria of renal insufficiency should be introduced into practice when treating MM. The treatment of MM patients with kidney disease has been greatly improved recently. It is necessary to conduct further large randomized controlled trials of the long-term outcome in China.

FACTS FROM EAST AND WEST

(1) An Scr level >2 mg/dl has been reported in 16, 21, 24, and 33% of patients with MM in cohort studies of Japan, Europe, China, and Korea, respectively. A Ccr <30 ml/min was observed in 30 and 15% of patients in Chinese and Western MM cohorts, respectively. The commonest cause of severe renal impairment (RI) in patients with MM is myeloma cast nephropathy. (2) The efficacy of novel treatments (bortezomib, carfilzomib, thalidomide, and lenalidomide) has predominantly been assessed in Western patients. Bortezomib and dexamethasone are the current standard of care for MM and severe RI in the West. Severe RI is not a contraindication to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Most of the data are from the West; there are case reports from China describing good outcomes with ASCT. The removal of free light chain by high cutoff hemodialysis is under evaluation in randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in the West. Studies in this area are not yet conducted in China. In China, new treatments, such as bortezomib, are more widely used than before and favorable results are being reported; however, RCT studies are still needed in this area to confirm the efficacy and safety of this and other novel treatments.

Challenges of measuring monoclonal proteins in serum

The measurement of monoclonal protein (M-protein) is vital for stratifying risk and following individuals with a variety of monoclonal gammopathies. Direct measurement of the M-protein spike by electrophoresis and immunochemical measurements of specific isotypes or free light chains pairs has provided useful information about the quantity of M-protein. Nonetheless, both traditional electrophoresis and immunochemical methods give poor quantification with M-proteins smaller than 10 g/L (1 g/dL) when in the presence of polyclonal immunoglobulins that co-migrate with the M-protein. In addition, measurements by electrophoresis of M-proteins migrating in the β- and α-regions are contaminated by normal serum proteins in those regions. The most precise electrophoretic method to date for quantification involves exclusion of the polyclonal immunoglobulins by using the tangent skimming method on electropherograms, which provides a 10-fold improvement in precision. So far, however, tangent measurements are limited to γ migrating M-proteins. Another way to improve M-protein measurements is the use of capillary electrophoresis (CE). With CE, one can employ immunosubtraction to select a region of interest in the β region thereby excluding much of the normal proteins from the M-protein measurement. Recent development of an immunochemical method distinguishing heavy/light chain pairs (separately measuring IgGK and IgGL, IgAK and IgAL, and IgMK and IgML) provides measurements that could exclude polyclonal contaminants of the same heavy chain with the uninvolved light chain type. Yet, even heavy/light results contain an immeasurable quantity of polyclonal heavy/light chains of the involved isotype. Finally, use of liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) looms on the horizon as a means to provide more consistent and sensitive measurements of M-proteins.

Pancytopenia in Multiple Myeloma- An Enigma: Our Experience from Tertiary Care Hospital

INTRODUCTION

Multiple myeloma is a plasma cell neoplasm that is characterized by clonal proliferation of malignant plasma cell in the bone marrow along with M-protein in the serum and/or urine. Pancytopenia as a initial presentation of multiple myeloma is quite unusual. We are presenting a case series having pancytopenia as the presenting complaint.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A retrospective study was conducted for a period of 30 months, wherein all the cases of multiple myeloma presenting with pancytopenia were included. The complete blood picture, peripheral smear examination, bone marrow aspirate & protein electrophoresis of all the cases were reviewed & analysed.

RESULTS

During the study period, 10 cases presented with pancytopenia with a mean age of 66.3 years (range: 59-72 years) at presentation with male: female ratio being 8:2. Fatigue and weakness was the most common symptom (100%) & average ESR was 104 mm/hour. High-resolution serum electrophoresis, showed a dense, sharp to wide M band in the gamma globulin region. Bone marrow plasma cell percentage was increased with an average of 63.1%. Bone marrow biopsy correlation was obtained in 100% cases.

CONCLUSION

Diagnosing multiple myeloma, presenting as pancytopenia requires a high degree of suspicion to avoid delay in initiation of treatment.

18F-FDG PET increases visibility of bone lesions in relapsed multiple myeloma: is this hypoxia-driven?

INTRODUCTION

Whole-body x-ray (WBX) is used for detecting skeleton abnormalities in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). An alternative might be 18F-FDG PET, which makes use of metabolic changes of malignant cells. The aims of this study were to evaluate whether 18F-FDG PET detects more lesions compared with WBX in patients with relapsing MM and to define its prognostic value. In addition 1-α-D-(5-deoxy-5-[F]-fluoroarabinofuranosyl)-2-nitroimidazole (18F-FAZA) scan and immunohistochemical staining on bone marrow were performed to define whether FDG uptake coincides with angiogenesis-related tumor hypoxia.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

18F-FDG PET (n = 44) and 18F-FAZA-PET (n = 5) were performed in patients with relapsed MM. Bone marrow biopsies (n = 20) were evaluated for hypoxia inducible factors (HIF) 1α and 2α, vascular endothelial growth factor, glucose transport proteins 1 and 3, and the microvessel density.

RESULTS

New lesions were more frequently demonstrated on 18F-FDG PET than on WBX (P = 0.000001). 18F-FDG PET was not predictive for progression-free survival and overall survival. Immunohistochemical staining on bone marrow biopsies demonstrated a significant increase in microvessel density and elevated expression of vascular endothelial growth factor, HIF-2α, and glucose transport protein 3 by the malignant plasma cells. However, HIF-1α expression and 18F-FAZA scan results were negative.

CONCLUSIONS

Our results demonstrate that 18F-FDG PET is relevant for diagnostic purposes compared with WBX in relapsing MM. The enhanced uptake of 18F-FDG PET is likely related to the activation of the HIF-2α signaling pathway but probably independent of hypoxia-induced signaling in view of the negative findings on both 18F-FAZA-PET and HIF-1α expression.

Pre-treatment staging of multiple myeloma patients: comparison of whole-body diffusion weighted imaging with whole-body T1-weighted contrast-enhanced imaging

BACKGROUND

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy characterized by the clonal proliferation of plasma cells. Accurate staging is of pivotal importance in the management of MM. Advanced imaging techniques, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), are increasingly used for the initial diagnosis and staging of MM.

PURPOSE

To compare whole-body (WB) MR diffusion-weighted imaging with background body signal suppression (DWIBS) with (WB) MR fat-suppressed T1-weighted contrast-enhanced imaging (T1-CE) in the pre-treatment staging evaluation of multiple myeloma (MM) patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Thirty-six patients with MM were included in the study. T1-CE and DWIBS were performed using a 3 T scanner. The Durie-Salmon plus staging system was used. Kappa statistics was used to assess agreement.

RESULTS

For all MM stages good to very good agreement was found for both T1-CE and DWIBS. The unweighted kappa statistic indicated a moderate, good and very good agreement between T1-CE and DWIBS for stages I, II, and III, respectively. In particular, in 67% of patients the MM staging according to T1-CE was not different from DWIBS. In the remaining 33% of patients, the MM stage obtained with T1-CE was lower than that provided by DWIBS.

CONCLUSION

DWIBS and T1-CE were concordant in the majority of patients. In a minority of cases DWIBS evidenced areas of water restriction that did not correspond to contrast enhancement areas. Studies monitoring therapeutic response in relation to tumour burden and aggressiveness should be performed to assess the clinical relevance of DWIBS findings.

Monitoring IgA Multiple Myeloma: Immunoglobulin Heavy/Light Chain Assays

BACKGROUND

The use of electrophoresis to monitor monoclonal immunoglobulins migrating in the β fraction may be difficult because of their comigration with transferrin and complement proteins.

METHODS

Immunoassays specific for IgGκ, IgGλ, IgAκ, IgAλ, IgMκ, and IgMλ heavy/light chain (HLC) were validated for use in the clinical laboratory. We assessed sample stability, inter- and intraassay variability, linearity, accuracy, and reference intervals for all 6 assays. We tested accuracy by verifying that the sum of the concentrations for the HLC-pairs accounted for the total immunoglobulins in each of 129 healthy sera, and that the HLC-pair ratios (rHLCs) were outside the reference interval in 97% of 518 diagnostic multiple myeloma (MM) samples.

RESULTS

We assessed diagnostic samples and posttreatment sera in 32 IgG and 30 IgA patients for HLC concentrations, rHLC, and total immunoglobulins and compared these nephelometry results with serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and immunofixation electrophoresis (IFE). In sample sets from patients with IgG MM, the sensitivity of SPEP was almost the same as for rHLC, and no additional advantage was conferred by running HLC assays. In pre- and posttreatment samples from patients with IgA MM, the SPEP, rHLC, and IFE identified clonality in 28%, 56%, and 61%, respectively. In addition, when M-spikes were quantifiable, the concentration of the involved HLC was linearly related to that of the SPEP M-spike, with a slope near 1.

CONCLUSIONS

The use of IgA HLC assays for monitoring β-migrating IgA monoclonal proteins can substitute for the combination of SPEP, IFE, and total IgA quantification.

Inherited polymorphisms in hyaluronan synthase 1 predict risk of systemic B-cell malignancies but not of breast cancer

Genetic variations in the hyaluronan synthase 1 gene (HAS1) influence HAS1 aberrant splicing. HAS1 is aberrantly spliced in malignant cells from multiple myeloma (MM) and Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM), but not in their counterparts from healthy donors. The presence of aberrant HAS1 splice variants predicts for poor survival in multiple myeloma (MM). We evaluated the influence of inherited HAS1 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) on the risk of having a systemic B cell malignancy in 1414 individuals compromising 832 patients and 582 healthy controls, including familial analysis of an Icelandic kindred. We sequenced HAS1 gene segments from 181 patients with MM, 98 with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), 72 with Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM), 169 with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL), as well as 34 members of a monoclonal gammopathy-prone Icelandic family, 212 age-matched healthy donors and a case-control cohort of 295 breast cancer patients with 353 healthy controls. Three linked single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP) in HAS1 intron3 are significantly associated with B-cell malignancies (range p = 0.007 to p = 10(-5)), but not MGUS or breast cancer, and predict risk in a 34 member Icelandic family (p = 0.005, Odds Ratio = 5.8 (OR)), a relatively homogeneous cohort. In contrast, exon3 SNPs were not significantly different among the study groups. Pooled analyses showed a strong association between the linked HAS1 intron3 SNPs and B-cell malignancies (OR = 1.78), but not for sporadic MGUS or for breast cancer (OR<1.0). The minor allele genotypes of HAS1 SNPs are significantly more frequent in MM, WM, CLL and in affected members of a monoclonal gammopathy-prone family than they are in breast cancer, sporadic MGUS or healthy donors. These inherited changes may increase the risk for systemic B-cell malignancies but not for solid tumors.

Cyclin D1 expression in multiple myeloma by immunohistochemistry: Case series of 14 patients and literature review

Background:

Cyclin D1 dysregulation is an early and unifying oncogenic event in patients of multiple myeloma (MM). This may be detected up to 30% cases by immunohistochemistry (IHC) and up to 40-50% cases by molecular studies. However, studies on the clinical significance of cyclin D1 dysregulation in MM have been inconclusive. We aimed to study the pattern of cyclin D1 expression in MM by IHC and correlate with selected clinicopathologic features.

Materials and Methods:

Formalin fixed, decalcified, bone marrow trephine sections from 14 symptomatic patients of MM (13 newly diagnosed and one relapsed) were subjected to cyclin D1 IHC by using a rabbit monoclonal antibody to cyclin D1 (clone EPR2241).

Results:

Cyclin D1 expression (in ≥10% tumor cell nuclei) was observed in 8 of 14 cases (57%). Cyclin D1 positive (+) group had significantly lower hemoglobin level (P = 0.03) than cyclin D1 negative (−) group (n = 6); though both groups showed no statistical significance (P > 0.05) in regard to age, gender, Durie and Salmon stage, lytic bone lesions, light chain phenotype, creatinine, calcium, lactate dehydrogenase, leukocyte and platelet count and bone marrow histology. Ten of 14 (71.5%) showed a favorable response (follow-up; 7 days to 34 months) to thalidomide and/or bortezomib based chemotherapeutic regimen. Four of eight cyclin D1− patients showed complete response, two had a partial response (PR) and two died of the disease; whereas 4/6 cyclin D1 − patients had PR, one refused definitive therapy and one was lost to follow-up (P > 0.05, Fischer's exact test).

Conclusion:

IHC may be a feasible tool for the demonstration of cyclin D1 expression on adequately processed trephine biopsy specimen in MM patients in a resource poor setting. Negative IHC results should be correlated with molecular techniques for prognostication.

The value of serum immunoglobulin free light chain assessment in patients with monoclonal gammopathies and acute renal failure

Objective: Immunoglobulin free light chain (FLC) abnormalities are common in patients with monoclonal gammopathies and the kidneys are the most affected organs. Immunoassays that provide quantitative measurement of FLC in serum indicate monoclonal FLC production based on the presence of an abnormal FLC kappa:lambda (κ:λ) ratio. The aim of this study was to assess the utility of serum FLC measurement as a diagnostic tool for detecting plasma cell dyscrasias in comparison to standard assays, and to ascertain its sensitivity and specificity in patients with acute renal failure (ARF).

Material and Methods: Sera from 82 patients with ARF were assessed using serum protein electrophoresis (SPE), serum immunofixation electrophoresis (SIFE), and FLC measurement. The sensitivity and specificity of the FLC ratio in identifying which ARF patients had multiple myeloma (MM) was compared to those of SPE and SIFE.

Results: Among the 82 patients with ARF, 7 were diagnosed as MM using SPE, SIFE, and bone marrow biopsy techniques. In total, 8 patients did not have a FLC κ:λ ratio that was within the published reference range (0:26-1:65); the FLC κ:λ ratio based on FLC measurement had a specificity of 96% and sensitivity of 71%, and positive and negative predictive values of 62.9% and 97.3%, respectively, for the diagnosis of MM.

Conclusion: The sensitivity and specificity of the FLC κ:λ ratio for diagnosing MM in patients that presented with ARF were lower than those of SPE and SIFE. To further delineate the utility of the FLC κ:λ ratio additional prospective, well-designed large-scale studies are needed.

Conflict of interest:None declared.

Radiation therapy for secondary cutaneous plasmacytomas

We are reporting a case of a 75-year-old man with multiply recurrent IgA-lambda multiple myeloma status post multiple rounds of chemotherapy, autologous stem cell transplantation, and palliative radiation therapy for diffuse bone lesions. Approximately 15 years after original diagnosis, he developed secondary cutaneous plasmacytomas of the right arm, right chest wall, and right upper back over the course of several months. He underwent palliative involved field 3D conformal photon or en face electron therapy concurrently with various chemotherapy regimens and achieved good to complete response with palliation of pain at the irradiated sites. He died of complications related to his disease approximately 7 months after developing skin lesions. The case presented is unique for dermal involvement of myeloma treated with palliative involved field radiation.

Long-term results in multiple myeloma after high-dose melphalan and autologous transplantation according to response categories in the era of old drugs

BACKGROUND

The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the long-term prognosis of multiple myeloma (MM) and the quality of response to therapy in a cohort of 173 patients treated with high-dose melphalan (HDM) and autologous transplantation in the era of old drugs.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

A total of 173 patients with de novo MM who received a transplant between 1994 and 2010 were analyzed. VAD (vincristine, doxorubicin [Adriamycin], dexamethasone) was used as front-line regimen before auto-HPCT. The conditioning was HDM 200 mg/m(2). Patients were evaluated for clinical response using the criteria from the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation, modified to include near complete remission (nCR) and very good partial remission (VGPR).

RESULTS

The response distribution after transplantation in our series was complete remission (CR) in 33 cases (19%), nearly complete remission (nCR) in 38 cases (22%), VGPR in 30 cases (17%), partial remission (PR) in 65 cases (38%), and stable disease (SD) in 7 cases (4%). Patients were followed for 48 ± 36 months. Median overall survival (OS) was not reached for the CR group. Progression-free survival (PFS) was 122 months for CR, 55 months for nCR, 56 months for VGPR, 32 months for PR, and 22 months for SD. Significant differences in PFS and OS were found between the CR and nCR groups (P = .003 and P = .001, respectively), between the CR and VGPR groups (P = .002 and P = .001, respectively), and between the CR and PR groups (P = .000 and P = .001, respectively). Responses were clustered in 3 main categories, ie, CR, nCR + VGPR + PR, and SD. The respective 10-year PFS and OS values were 58% and 70% for CR, 15% and 18% for nCR + VGPR + PR, and 0% and 0% for SD.

CONCLUSION

The achievement of depth and prolonged response represents the most important prognostic factor. The relapse rate is low for patients in CR after 10 years of follow-up, possibly signifying a cure.

Clinical and organizational factors in the initial evaluation of patients with lung cancer: Diagnosis and management of lung cancer, 3rd ed: American College of Chest Physicians evidence-based clinical practice guidelines

BACKGROUND

This guideline is intended to provide an evidence-based approach to the initial evaluation of patients with known or suspected lung cancer. It also includes an assessment of the impact of timeliness of care and multidisciplinary teams on outcome.

METHODS

The applicable current medical literature was identified by a computerized search and evaluated using standardized methods. Recommendations were framed using the approach described by the Guidelines Oversight Committee of the American College of Chest Physicians. Data sources included MEDLINE and the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews.

RESULTS

Initial evaluation should include a thorough history and physical examination; CT imaging; pulmonary function tests; and hemoglobin, electrolyte, liver function, and calcium levels. Additional testing for distant metastases and paraneoplastic syndromes should be determined on the basis of these results. Paraneoplastic syndromes may have an adverse impact on cancer treatment, so they should be controlled rapidly with the goal of proceeding with definitive cancer treatment in a timely manner. Although the relationship between timeliness of care and survival is difficult to quantify, efforts to deliver timely care are reasonable and should be balanced with the need to attend to other dimensions of health-care quality (eg, safety, effectiveness, efficiency, equality, consistency with patient values and preferences). Quality care will require multiple disciplines. Although it is difficult to assess the impact, we suggest that a multidisciplinary team approach to care be used, particularly for patients requiring multimodality therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

The initial evaluation of patients with lung cancer should include a thorough history and physical examination, pulmonary function tests, CT imaging, basic laboratory tests, and selective testing for distant metastases and paraneoplastic syndromes.

Treatment of metastatic spinal cord compression: cepo review and clinical recommendations

BACKGROUND

Metastatic spinal cord compression (mscc) is an oncologic emergency that, unless diagnosed early and treated appropriately, can lead to permanent neurologic impairment. After an analysis of relevant studies evaluating the effectiveness of various treatment modalities, the Comité de l'évolution des pratiques en oncologie (cepo) made recommendations on mscc management.

METHOD

A review of the scientific literature published up to February 2011 considered only phase ii and iii trials that included assessment of neurologic function. A total of 26 studies were identified.

RECOMMENDATIONS

Considering the evidence available to date, cepo recommends that cancer patients with mscc be treated by a specialized multidisciplinary team.dexamethasone 16 mg daily be administered to symptomatic patients as soon as mscc is diagnosed or suspected.high-loading-dose corticosteroids be avoided.histopathologic diagnosis and scores from scales evaluating prognosis and spinal instability be considered before treatment.corticosteroids and chemotherapy with radiotherapy be offered to patients with spinal cord compression caused by myeloma, lymphoma, or germ cell tumour without sign of spinal instability or compression by bone fragment.short-course radiotherapy be administered to patients with spinal cord compression and short life expectancy.long-course radiotherapy be administered to patients with inoperable spinal cord compression and good life expectancy.decompressive surgery followed by long-course radiotherapy be offered to appropriate symptomatic mscc patients (including spinal instability, displacement of vertebral fragment); andpatients considered for surgery have a life expectancy of at least 3-6 months.

Metabolic tumor volume assessed by 18F-FDG PET/CT for the prediction of outcome in patients with multiple myeloma

(18)F-FDG PET/CT allows the direct measurement of metabolic tumor burden in a variety of different malignancies. The aim of this study was to assess whether metabolic tumor volume (MTV) determined by (18)F-FDG PET/CT could be used in the prediction of progression-free and overall survival in multiple myeloma patients.

METHODS

Forty-seven patients (18 women, 29 men; mean age ± SD, 63 ± 11 y) with stage IIIA disease who had undergone whole-body (18)F-FDG PET/CT were retrospectively evaluated. Images underwent a 3-dimensional region-of-interest analysis including all focal lesions with a maximum standardized uptake value > 2.5. The MTV of each lesion was calculated using an automated contouring program based on the standardized uptake value and developed with a threshold of 40% of the maximum standardized uptake value. The total MTV of each patient was defined as the sum of metabolic volume of all focal lesions. Patients were treated and then subjected to a mean follow-up period of 24 mo.

RESULTS

In the 47 patients studied, MTV range was 1.3-316.3 mL, with a median of 23.7 mL. A direct, significant correlation was found between MTV and the percentage of diffuse infiltration of bone marrow by plasma cells (r = 0.46, P = 0.006), whereas hemoglobin levels were inversely correlated with MTV (r = -0.56, P = 0.0001). At follow-up, patients who developed progressive disease (n = 18) showed a significantly higher MTV (74.7 ± 19.3 vs. 29.8 ± 5.1 mL, P = 0.009) than patients without progressive disease (n = 29). Furthermore, patients who died of myeloma (n = 9) had a significantly higher MTV (123.2 ± 30.6 vs. 28.9 ± 4.2 mL, P = 0.0001) than survivors (n = 38). No differences in age, plasma cell infiltration, M protein, albumin, β2-microglobulin, performance status, International Staging System score, and presence or absence of a bone marrow transplant were found between groups. The MTV cutoff level was determined by receiver-operating-characteristic curve analysis, and the best discriminative value found for predicting progression-free and overall survival was 42.2 and 77.6 mL, respectively. By Kaplan-Meier analysis and log-rank testing, progression-free and overall survival at follow-up were significantly better in patients showing an MTV lower than the cutoff than in those having an MTV higher than the cutoff (χ(2) = 3.9, P = 0.04, and χ(2) = 56.3, P < 0.0001, respectively).

CONCLUSION

The direct measurement of tumor burden obtained by calculating MTV on (18)F-FDG PET/CT images may be used in the prediction of progression-free and overall survival in myeloma patients.

Serum free light chains in myeloma patients with an intact M protein by immunofixation: potential roles for response assessment and prognosis during induction therapy with novel agents

The ascertainment of serum free light chain (sFLC) levels has been shown to be valuable in screening for the presence of plasma cell dyscrasia as well as for baseline prognosis in newly diagnosed patients. For patients with amyloidosis and those with oligo-secretory or non-secretory multiple myeloma (MM), serial measurement of sFLC has also been shown to be valuable in monitoring disease status. However, in patients with a measureable, intact monoclonal protein by immunofixation (M protein), the serial measurement of sFLC remains undefined and is currently not recommended in professional guidelines. Herein, we provide data comparing sFLC with M protein as biomarkers of response in newly diagnosed patients with MM undergoing induction therapy with the novel agents thalidomide, lenalidomide and/or bortezomib. We show that although M protein appears to outperform sFLC comparatively over the course of induction therapy, the addition of FLC to M protein further informs the characterization of residual disease status post-induction. Moreover, sFLC at the time of stem cell mobilization appears to hold prognostic power for survival endpoints following high-dose chemotherapy/autologous stem cell transplant (HDC/SCT). These findings suggest potentially novel roles for sFLC in patients with MM with an intact M protein receiving novel agent-based induction strategies followed by HDC/SCT.

Proteinuria in the elderly: evaluation and management

While aging is accompanied by many age-related changes in renal physiology and function, proteinuria should not be considered to be a part of "normal aging". There are many age-prevalent illnesses that predispose one to developing proteinuria and early recognition, and treatment may help retard disease progression or offer an early cure. The presence of proteinuria warrants further evaluation and follow-up if one has any hope of avoiding its progression and delaying the initiation of treatment. This review article will discuss the anatomy and physiology of the aging kidney, the pathophysiology and etiology of proteinuria during later life, methods to evaluate proteinuria, and ways to monitor and manage this problem.

Thalidomide and dexamethasone vs. bortezomib and dexamethasone for melphalan refractory myeloma: a randomized study

OBJECTIVES

Thalidomide and bortezomib have been frequently used for second-line therapy in patients with myeloma relapsing after or refractory to initial melphalan-based treatment, but no randomized trials have been published comparing these two treatment alternatives.

METHODS

Thalidomide- and bortezomib-naïve patients with melphalan refractory myeloma were randomly assigned to low-dose thalidomide + dexamethasone (Thal-Dex) or bortezomib + dexamethasone (Bort-Dex). At progression on either therapy, the patients were offered crossover to the alternative drug combination. An estimated 300 patients would be needed for the trial to detect a 50% difference in median PFS between the treatment arms.

RESULTS

After inclusion of 131 patients, the trial was prematurely closed because of low accrual. Sixty-seven patients were randomized to Thal-Dex and 64 to Bort-Dex. Progression-free survival was similar (median, 9.0 months for Thal-Dex and 7.2 for Bort-Dex). Response rate was similar (55% for Thal-Dex and 63% for Bort-Dex), but time to response was shorter (P < 0.05) and the VGPR rate higher (P < 0.01) for Bort-Dex. Time-to-other treatment after crossover was similar (median, 13.2 months for Thal-Dex and 11.2 months for Bort-Dex), as was overall survival (22.8 months for Thal-Dex and 19.0 for Bort-Dex). Venous thromboembolism was seen in seven patients and cerebrovascular events in four patients in the Thal-Dex group. Severe neuropathy, reactivation of herpes virus infections, and mental depression were more frequently observed in the Bort-Dex group. In the quality-of-life analysis, no difference was noted for physical function, pain, and global quality of life. Fatigue and sleep disturbances were significantly more prevalent in the Bort-Dex group.

CONCLUSIONS

Thalidomide (50-100 mg daily) in combination with dexamethasone seems to have an efficacy comparable with that of bortezomib and dexamethasone in melphalan refractory myeloma. However, the statistical strength of the results in this study is limited by the low number of included patients.