Imaging in multiple myeloma: Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging?

An overview of multiple myeloma: A monoclonal plasma cell malignancy's diagnosis, management, and treatment modalities

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell cancer with high mortality and morbidity rates. Its incidence rate has increased by 143% since 1975. Adipokines, cytokines, chemokines, and genetic variations influence the development and progression of MM. Chromosomal translocations cause mutations associated with MM. The pathogenesis of MM is complicated by novel issues like miRNAs, RANKL, Wnt/DKK1, Wnt, and OPG. Conventional diagnosis methods include bone marrow biopsy, sPEP or uPEP, sIFE and uIFE, and sFLC assay, along with advanced techniques such as FISH, SNPA, and gene expression technologies. A novel therapeutic strategy has been developed recently. Chemotherapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, and a variety of drug classes in combination are used to treat patients with high-risk diseases. Alkylating agents, PIs, and IMiDs have all been developed as effective treatment options for MM in recent years. This review overviews the current recommendations for managing MGUS, SMM, MM, SP and NSMM and discusses practices in diagnosing and treating MM.

New diagnostic strategy for multiple myeloma: A review

Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most prevalent hematological malignancy and is distinguished by the aberrant proliferation of monoclonal plasma cells inside the bone marrow and production of M-protein. This condition frequently results in bone deterioration, acute kidney damage, anemia, and hypercalcemia. However, the clinical manifestations and accompanying symptoms of MM vary and may change as the condition evolves. Therefore, diagnosis of MM is difficult. At present, the confirmation of MM diagnosis necessitates the use of bone marrow biopsy, a procedure that is both invasive and challenging for assessing dynamic alterations in the disease. The integration of laboratory testing technologies with imaging technology has the potential to enhance the diagnostic effectiveness and provide a thorough evaluation of disease progression and prognosis in patients with MM. All the examination methods have advantages and disadvantages. Therefore, diagnosis is determined by the application of clinical characteristics, serological tests, and imaging investigations.

Myeloma Spine and Bone Damage Score (MSBDS) on Whole-Body Computed Tomography (WBCT): Multiple Reader Agreement in a Multicenter Reliability Study

Objective: To assess the reliability of the myeloma spine and bone damage score (MSBDS) across multiple readers with different levels of expertise and from different institutions. Methods: A reliability exercise, including 104 data sets of static images and complete CT examinations of patients affected by multiple myeloma (MM), was performed. A complementary imaging atlas provided detailed examples of the MSBDS scores, including low-risk and high-risk lesions. A total of 15 readers testing the MSBDS were evaluated. ICC estimates and their 95% confidence intervals were calculated based on mean rating (k = 15), absolute agreement, a two-way random-effects model and Cronbach’s alpha. Results: Overall, the ICC correlation coefficient was 0.87 (95% confidence interval: 0.79–0.92), and the Cronbach’s alpha was 0.93 (95% confidence interval: 0.94–0.97). Global inter- and intra-observer agreement among the 15 readers with scores below or equal to 6 points and scores above 6 points were 0.81 (95% C.I.: 0.72–0.86) and 0.94 (95% C.I.:0.91–0.98), respectively. Conclusion: We present a consensus-based semiquantitative scoring systems for CT in MM with a complementary CT imaging atlas including detailed examples of relevant scoring techniques. We found substantial agreement among readers with different levels of experience, thereby supporting the role of the MSBDS for possible large-scale applications. Significance and Innovations • Based on previous work and definitions of the MSBDS, we present real-life reliability data for quantitative bone damage assessment in multiple myeloma (MM) patients on CT. • In this study, reliability for the MSBDS, which was tested on 15 readers with different levels of expertise and from different institutions, was shown to be moderate to excellent. • The complementary CT imaging atlas is expected to enhance unified interpretations of the MSBDS between different professionals dealing with MM patients in their routine clinical practice.

The Apparent Diffusion Coefficient of Diffusion-Weighted Whole-Body Magnetic Resonance Imaging Affects the Survival of Multiple Myeloma Independently

Background

Diffusion-weighted whole-body MRI (DW-MRI) is increasingly used to evaluate bone diseases of multiple myeloma (MM), but there is lack of quantitative indicator for DW-MRI to reflect the prognosis of MM. Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values in DW-MRI has potential correlations between some indexes of MM, but the influence of ADC on MM survival needs to be further verified.

Methods

A total of 381 newly diagnosed MM patients were enrolled in the study to analyze the effect of ADC values in DW-MRI on progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS). The Kaplan–Meier method was used to perform univariate survival analysis, and the Cox proportional hazards model was used for multivariate analysis. In addition to the ADC value, genetic and serological indexes were also included.

Results

The survivals were observed in univariate ADC stratification with median PFS of 52.0, 45.0, 34.0, and 26.0 months (the unit of ADC value was 10⁻³ mm²/s; the ADC ranges were ADC < 0.4886, 0.4886 ≤ ADC < 0.6545, 0.6545 ≤ ADC < 0.7750, and ADC ≥ 0.7750; 95% CI, 43.759–62.241, 46.336–53.664, 39.753–46.247, and 27.812–32.188). The OS were 81.0, 61.0, 47.0, and 36.0 months (p < 0.001; 95% CI, 71.356–82.644, 67.630–70.370, 57.031–60.969, and 36.107–43.893). In Cox proportional hazards model, the ADC value was considered to be an independent risk factor affecting PFS and OS of MM (both p < 0.001).

Conclusions

This study supports that ADC in DW-MRI may independently stratify MM patients and better predict their prognosis. The combined use of DW-MRI and other parameters allows more accurate evaluation of MM survival.

Trial Registration

http://www.chictr.org.cn/showproj.aspx?proj=49012, ChiCTR2000029587.