Serum BCMA levels predict outcomes in MGUS and smoldering myeloma patients

AbstractSoluble BCMA (sBCMA) levels are elevated in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). However, the association between sBCMA levels and prognosis in MGUS and SMM has not been studied. We retrospectively analyzed sBCMA levels in stored samples from 99 MGUS and 184 SMM patients. Baseline sBCMA levels were significantly higher in MGUS and SMM patients progressing to MM during clinical follow up. When stratified according to the median baseline sBCMA level for each cohort, higher levels were associated with a shorter PFS for MGUS (HR 3.44 comparing sBCMA ≥77 vs <77 ng/mL [95% CI 2.07–5.73, p < 0.001] and SMM (HR 2.0 comparing sBCMA ≥128 vs <128 ng/mL, 95% 1.45–2.76, p < 0.001) patients. The effect of sBCMA on PFS was similar even after adjusting for the baseline MGUS or SMM risk stratification. We evaluated paired serum samples and found that sBCMA increased significantly in MGUS and SMM patients who eventually progressed to MM, whereas among MGUS non-progressors the sBCMA level remained stable. While our results require independent validation, they suggest that sBCMA may be a useful biomarker to identify MGUS and SMM patients at increased risk of progression to MM independent of the established risk models.

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Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) consistently precedes multiple myeloma: a prospective study

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2008-12-194241 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 113 (22) ◽

pp. 5412-5417 ◽

Cited By ~ 579

Author(s):

Ola Landgren ◽

Robert A. Kyle ◽

Ruth M. Pfeiffer ◽

Jerry A. Katzmann ◽

Neil E. Caporaso ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽

Population Based ◽

Serum Samples ◽

M Proteins ◽

Cancer Screening Trial ◽

Risk Of Progression ◽

Study Population ◽

A Prospective Study ◽

Undetermined Significance

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a premalignant plasma-cell proliferative disorder associated with a life-long risk of progression to multiple myeloma (MM). It is not known whether MM is always preceded by a premalignant asymptomatic MGUS stage. Among 77 469 healthy adults enrolled in the nationwide population-based prospective Prostate, Lung, Colorectal, and Ovarian (PLCO) Cancer Screening Trial, we identified 71 subjects who developed MM during the course of the study in whom serially collected (up to 6) prediagnostic serum samples obtained 2 to 9.8 years prior to MM diagnosis were available. Using assays for monoclonal (M)–proteins (electrophoresis/immunofixation) and kappa-lambda free light chains (FLCs), we determined longitudinally the prevalence of MGUS and characterized patterns of monoclonal immunoglobulin abnormalities prior to MM diagnosis. MGUS was present in 100.0% (87.2%-100.0%), 98.3% (90.8%-100.0%), 97.9% (88.9%-100.0%), 94.6% (81.8%-99.3%), 100.0% (86.3%-100.0%), 93.3% (68.1%-99.8%), and 82.4% (56.6%-96.2%) at 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8+ years prior to MM diagnosis, respectively. In approximately half the study population, the M-protein concentration and involved FLC-ratio levels showed a yearly increase prior to MM diagnosis. In the present study, an asymptomatic MGUS stage consistently preceded MM. Novel molecular markers are needed to better predict progression to MM in patients with MGUS.

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Impact of optimal follow-up of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance on early diagnosis and prevention of myeloma-related complications

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2010-04-277566 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 116 (12) ◽

pp. 2019-2025 ◽

Cited By ~ 39

Author(s):

Giada Bianchi ◽

Robert A. Kyle ◽

Colin L. Colby ◽

Dirk R. Larson ◽

Shaji Kumar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Laboratory Testing ◽

Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽

Incidental Finding ◽

Optimal Frequency ◽

Future Studies ◽

Risk Of Progression ◽

Undetermined Significance

Abstract Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is associated with a long-term risk of progression to multiple myeloma (MM) or related malignancy. To prevent serious myeloma-related complications, lifelong annual follow-up has been recommended, but its value is unknown. We reviewed all patients from southeastern Minnesota seen at Mayo Clinic between 1973 and 2004 with MGUS who subsequently progressed to MM. Of 116 patients, 69% had optimal follow-up of MGUS. Among these, abnormalities on serial follow-up laboratory testing led to the diagnosis of MM in 16%, whereas MM was diagnosed only after serious MM-related complications in 45%. In the remaining, workup of less serious symptoms (25%), incidental finding during workup of unrelated medical conditions (11%), and unknown (3%) were the mechanisms leading to MM diagnosis. High-risk MGUS patients (≥ 1.5 g/dL and/or non-IgG MGUS) were more likely to be optimally followed (81% vs 64%), and be diagnosed with MM secondary to serial follow-up testing (21% vs 7%). This retrospective study suggests that routine annual follow-up of MGUS may not be required in low-risk MGUS. Future studies are needed to replicate and expand our findings and to determine the optimal frequency of monitoring in higher-risk MGUS patients.

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Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance and Smoldering Myeloma: New Insights into Pathophysiology and Epidemiology

Hematology ◽

10.1182/asheducation-2010.1.295 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 2010 (1) ◽

pp. 295-302 ◽

Cited By ~ 15

Author(s):

Ola Landgren

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽

Common Finding ◽

Patient Counseling ◽

Complex Situation ◽

Precursor State ◽

Risk Of Progression ◽

Smoldering Myeloma ◽

Almost All ◽

Work Up ◽

Undetermined Significance

Abstract Routine screening for monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is not indicated. Despite this fact, MGUS is a common finding in medical practice. Almost all individuals diagnosed with MGUS represent incidental cases diagnosed when physicians order serum protein electrophoresis, immunofixation, or both, as part of the work-up of a number of common symptoms and laboratory abnormalities. In the absence of reliable molecular predictors of outcome, the detection of an early precursor state typically imposes a complex situation for the patient and the responsible physician—usually, it leads to a lot of questions that lack clear answers. In the past years, several novel insights have been gained in the area of multiple myeloma (MM) precursor disease. This review focuses on results from recent investigations and discusses implications for diagnostic work-up, clinical management, and patient counseling. More specifically, it sheds light on the following commonly asked questions by patients and physicians: i) what is the risk of progression from precursor to full-blown MM, and are there ways to risk-stratify patients?; ii) is MM always preceded by a precursor state, and is there anything that could or should be done to delay or prevent progression?; and iii) why do some individuals develop MM precursor diseases, and is there a reason to screen the family?

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Development Of Solid Malignancies In Patients With Monoclonal Gammopathy Of Undetermined Significance (MGUS): A Population-Based Study Of 17,315 Patients

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v122.21.3134.3134 ◽

2013 ◽

Vol 122 (21) ◽

pp. 3134-3134

Author(s):

Lindsey E. Roeker ◽

Dirk Larson ◽

Robert Kyle ◽

Shaji K Kumar ◽

Angela Dispenzieri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Solid Tumor ◽

Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽

Research Funding ◽

Population Based ◽

Solid Malignancy ◽

Solid Malignancies ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Diagnosis Date ◽

Undetermined Significance

Abstract Background While patients with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) are known to be at an increased risk of developing multiple myeloma, Waldenström macroglobulinemia, and primary amyloidosis, the risk of developing non-hematologic malignancies is less clear. A recent report suggested that MGUS patients have a 1.56-fold increased risk of developing nonhematologic malignancies. An excess risk of developing nonmelanoma skin (RR = 2.04), endocrine (RR = 3.34), breast (RR = 1.32), kidney and urinary tract (1.58), respiratory (RR = 1.42), male reproductive system (RR = 1.32), and GI cancers (RR = 1.25) has been reported for people with MGUS (Blood Oct 13 2011;118(15):4086-4092). This study constructed a cohort by discovering MGUS status through medical workup. Therefore, associations discovered might be related to the reason the test was performed more than the result of the test. This study aimed to determine if there was an increased risk of solid malignancies in persons with MGUS using a large, population-based, systematically screened cohort. Methods The population-based cohort established to estimate the prevalence of MGUS was examined for this study (N Engl J Med 2006; 354:1362-1369). Of the 28,038 residents of Olmsted County, Minnesota age 50 years or older as of January 1, 1995, 21,463 individuals' serum samples were collected. All samples were evaluated with serum electrophoresis and immunofixation to determine MGUS status. The Mayo Clinic Medical Index from 1/1/1975 to last follow up or 5/31/2006 was used to link MGUS status to other diagnoses. All patients diagnosed with a solid malignancy were identified, and disease prevalence was determined for cases and controls. For MGUS patients who progressed to MM or related disorder, only solid malignancy diagnoses made prior to progression was considered. A second analysis was performed in which only malignancies that developed after the MGUS screening or diagnosis date were considered. Results 17,315 patients with 435,021 person-years of follow-up were included in the study. Any patient who was blinded in the initial cohort could not be included. Patients with MGUS (n=605) had a mean follow up of 24.64 years (range 0.11 to 30.57) while controls (n=16,710) had a mean of 25.14 years (range 0.01 to 31.40) of follow up. The risk ratio for developing any solid tumor was 1.08 (95% CI 0.94 to 1.25). Persons with MGUS had a 1.61-fold increased risk of developing respiratory tumors over controls. MGUS patients did not have a significantly increased risk of developing cancer in any other anatomical position studied, including bone, brain, breast, endocrine, eye, gastrointestinal, kidney, skin (melanoma or non-melanoma), oral/nasal/pharyngeal, reproductive, or salivary gland. MGUS patients were not found to be at increased risk of developing tumors with a specific pathology over controls. The second analysis, which considered only tumors that developed after the MGUS screening or diagnosis date, showed that MGUS patients were not at an increased risk of respiratory tumors (RR 1.28, p=0.21). According to this analysis, MGUS patients are at decreased risk of developing non-melanoma skin cancer (RR 0.76, p=0.003). No statistically significant increased risk of any solid tumor was identified through this analysis. Conclusion This study used a systematically screened population-based cohort to determine if patients with MGUS are at an increased risk of developing solid tumors. The analysis suggests that patients with MGUS have a significantly increased risk of developing respiratory malignancies (RR 1.61, p=0.01). However, when only tumors diagnosed after MGUS screening or diagnosis date were considered, this risk was no longer significant (RR 1.28, p=0.21). Contrary to previous reports, we did not find patients with MGUS to be at an increased risk of developing other solid malignancies. The discrepancy between these findings and previously reported increased risk may be related to the elimination of ascertainment bias in this population-based cohort universally screened for the presence or absence of MGUS. Accurately understanding the risks associated with MGUS, a condition affecting 3% percent of the population over 50 years of age, may allow for more informed recommendations for screening and counseling for these patients. Disclosures: Kumar: Celgene: Consultancy, Research Funding; Millennium: Consultancy, Research Funding; Onyx: Consultancy, Research Funding.

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Increased risk of monoclonal gammopathy in first-degree relatives of patients with multiple myeloma or monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2008-12-192575 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 114 (4) ◽

pp. 785-790 ◽

Cited By ~ 85

Author(s):

Celine M. Vachon ◽

Robert A. Kyle ◽

Terry M. Therneau ◽

Barbara J. Foreman ◽

Dirk R. Larson ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽

Population Based ◽

Detection Methods ◽

Shared Environment ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Adjusted Risk ◽

First Degree Relatives ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Undetermined Significance

Abstract We examined whether monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is increased in first-degree relatives of multiple myeloma (MM) or MGUS patients. Probands were recruited from a population-based prevalence study (MGUS) and the Mayo Clinic (MM). Serum samples were collected from first-degree relatives older than 40 years and subjected to electrophoresis and immunofixation. The prevalence of MGUS in relatives was compared with population-based rates. Nine-hundred eleven relatives of 232 MM and 97 MGUS probands were studied. By electrophoresis, MGUS was detected in 55 (6%) relatives, and immunofixation identified 28 additional relatives for an age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of 8.1% (95% CI, 6.3 to 9.8). The prevalence of MGUS in relatives increased with age (1.9%, 6.9%, 11.6%, 14.6%, 21.0% for ages 40-49, 50-59, 60-69, 70-79, ≥ 80 years, respectively; P < .001). Using similar MGUS detection methods, there was a higher risk of MGUS in relatives (age-adjusted risk ratio [RR], 2.6; 95% CI, 1.9 to 3.4) compared with the reference population. The increased risk was seen among relatives of MM (RR, 2.0; 95% CI, 1.4 to 2.8) and MGUS probands (RR, 3.3; 95% CI, 2.1 to 4.8). The increased risk of MGUS in first-degree relatives of MGUS or MM patients implies shared environment and/or genetics.

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No Risk of Arterial or Venous Thrombosis in Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance: Results from a Population-Based Study

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v126.23.4252.4252 ◽

2015 ◽

Vol 126 (23) ◽

pp. 4252-4252 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ebba K Lindqvist ◽

Sigrún H. Lund ◽

Rene Costello ◽

Debra Burton ◽

Neha S Korde ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Family History ◽

Venous Thrombosis ◽

Light Chain ◽

Arterial Thrombosis ◽

Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽

Population Based ◽

Increased Risk ◽

History Of ◽

Undetermined Significance

Abstract Background Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a precursor condition to multiple myeloma (MM) and other lymphoproliferative disorders. Patients with MM have an increased risk of venous and arterial thrombosis. Results from previous studies have also shown an increased risk of thrombosis in MGUS. However, these studies have been performed on clinically established cohorts, and no previous study has examined the risk of thrombosis in light chain MGUS (LC-MGUS). Methods We performed a population-based study on the longitudinal cohort of the AGES-Reykjavik Study, consisting of 5,764 elderly Icelandic men and women. Through screening all participants with free light chain analysis and serum protein electrophoresis, MGUS and LC-MGUS were identified in 299 and 52 individuals, respectively. The outcome was first incidence/occurrence of venous or arterial thrombosis, as diagnosis or as cause of death. Information on outcomes was supplemented by health care records, available from nine years prior to study baseline and for a median follow-up time of 8.8 years. Through logistic regression, odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were calculated to evaluate history of arterial and venous thrombosis, respectively, at study baseline. A Cox proportional hazards model was used to estimate hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% CIs for the risk of first incidence of thrombosis during follow-up. Results A history of any thrombosis during the nine years prior to diagnosis was present in 30 (10.0%) of individuals with MGUS, 13 (25.0%) of individuals with LC-MGUS, and 643 (12.0%) of individuals without MGUS. In a model adjusting for age, sex, smoking, serum cholesterol levels, diabetes, hypertension, and family history of thrombosis, the odds of having had a thrombosis was not significantly different for neither MGUS (OR = 0.75, 95% CI 0.50-1.12) nor LC-MGUS (OR = 1.81, 0.92-3.58), compared to those without MGUS. During a median follow-up time of 8.8 years, 80 (26.8%) of individuals with MGUS, 14 (26.9%) of individuals with LC-MGUS, and 1,344 (25.0%) of individuals without MGUS were diagnosed with thrombosis. Individuals with MGUS and with LC-MGUS had no increased risk of arterial thrombosis, when adjusted for age, sex, cholesterol, diabetes, hypertension, smoking, and family history of thrombosis (HR 1.04, 0.82-1.32). Similarly, no increased risk was found in MGUS or LC-MGUS for venous thrombosis, in a model adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and previous or current cancer (HR 0.89, 0.41-1.89). Excluding individuals with a diagnosis of thrombosis occurring before baseline, or adjusting for a personal history of thrombosis, did not affect the results. Summary and conclusions In this large, population-based, screening cohort study, we found no increased risk of arterial or venous thrombosis in MGUS. A history of thrombosis was more common in individuals with LC-MGUS, which might be an effect of higher age in LC-MGUS individuals. To our knowledge, this is the first study to investigate risk of thrombosis in LC-MGUS. The results from our screened study contradict previous findings from clinically established cohorts. Future work is needed to better understand observed differences between studies and across populations. For example, potential underlying factors may include aggregation of underlying comorbidities in clinically diagnosed MGUS patients, and biological variations (shared germline genetic susceptibility) by ethnic groups. Table. Risk of thrombosis in individuals with MGUS and LC-MGUS, compared to individuals without MGUS. MGUS LC-MGUS No MGUS No. HR (95% CI) No. HR (95% CI) No. HR (95% CI) Any thrombosis* 80 (26.76%) 1.01 (0.80-1.26) 14 (26.92%) 1.13 (0.80-1.26) 1,344 (25.02%) 1.00 (Reference) Arterial thrombosis† 76 (25.42%) 1.04 (0.82-1.32) 14 (26.92%) 1.16 (0.67-2.01) 1,240 (23.08%) 1.00 (Reference) Venous thrombosis†† 7 (2.34%) 0.89 (0.41-1.89) 0 (0.0%) - 151 (2.81%) 1.00 (Reference) *Results adjusted for age and sex. † Results adjusted for age, sex, smoking, hypertension, cholesterol, diabetes, and family history of arterial thrombosis. †† Results adjusted for age, sex, body mass index, and previous or current cancer. MGUS: monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, LC-MGUS: light-chain monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. HR: hazard ratio, CI: confidence interval. Disclosures Landgren: Celgene: Consultancy; BMJ Publishing: Consultancy; Onyx: Research Funding; International Myeloma Foundation: Research Funding; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Consultancy; Onyx: Honoraria; Celgene: Honoraria; Bristol-Myers Squibb: Honoraria; Medscape: Honoraria; BMJ Publishing: Honoraria; Onyx: Consultancy; Medscape: Consultancy.

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Estimating the Risk of Progression of Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance into Lymphoplasmacytic Malignancies in the United States: Determining Demographic Differences Using a National Dataset

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v128.22.843.843 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 128 (22) ◽

pp. 843-843 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Ronald S. Go ◽

Herbert C Heien ◽

Lindsey R Sangaralingham ◽

Elizabeth B Habermann ◽

Nilay D Shah

Keyword(s):

United States ◽

Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽

Conflicts Of Interest ◽

The United States ◽

First Year ◽

Administrative Claims ◽

Number Of Patients ◽

Risk Of Progression ◽

Undetermined Significance

Abstract Background: Prior studies on the risk of progression of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) into lymphoplasmacytic malignancies (LPMs) were almost exclusively in the White populations, comprised of limited number of patients residing in relatively small geographic areas, or included patients mostly detected by serologic screening as part of clinical study (as opposed to detected clinically during evaluation of symptoms suspicious for LPMs). Similar epidemiologic studies in a large, racially diverse population are lacking. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of incident MGUS patients diagnosed from 2006-2013 using theOptum Labs Data Warehouse, a large database including administrative claims information on >110 million privately insured and Medicare Advantage enrollees throughout the United States. We identified patients with a diagnosis of MGUS (ICD9: 273.1) with 1-5 years of continuous enrollment. Each enrollment cohort based on the duration of follow-up (1-, 2-, 3-, 4-, or 5-year) was analyzed individually to help estimate the progression to cancer. We excluded patients who were diagnosed with LPMs within three months of MGUS diagnosis. We calculated the rate of progression into LPMs (chronic lymphocytic leukemia [CLL], light chain amyloidosis [AL], multiple myeloma [MM], non-Hodgkin lymphoma [NHL], and Waldenström macroglobulinemia [WM]) expressed as number per 100 person-years. Results: There were 14,728 MGUS patients for a total of 21,288 person-years of follow-up. The distributions of the number of patients and events according to the cohorts classified by duration of follow-up were: 1-year (14,728 patients; 243 events), 2-year (10,644 patients; 307 events), 3-year (7,333 patients; 299 events), 4-year (4,497 patients; 237 events), and 5-year (2,960 patients; 191 events). The rates of progression to LPMs were consistently highest during the first year after MGUS diagnosis (~2.00), generally declined by half during the second year and remained fairly stable thereafter (~1.00; Table 1). The rates of progression into LPMs overall as well as by demographics are shown in Table 2. The risk of progression was significantly higher among men (P < 0.01) and older patients (>50 years; P = 0.03) compared to their counterparts but similar among races (P = 0.15). Of the 243 patients who progressed, the distribution of LPMs was MM (70.0%), NHL (13.2%), WM (12.3%), AL (4.1%), and CLL (0.4%). Conclusions: Among patients withMGUS, the risk of transformation into LPMs is continuous although twice as high during the first year after MGUS diagnosis compared to subsequent years. The risk of transformation was higher among men and those who were older but did not differ among the racial subgroups. Our findings can be used to develop an optimal risk-based MGUS follow-up strategy that incorporates not only serum biomarkers but also demographic factors. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

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Pesticide exposure and risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance in the Agricultural Health Study

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood-2009-02-203471 ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 113 (25) ◽

pp. 6386-6391 ◽

Cited By ~ 99

Author(s):

Ola Landgren ◽

Robert A. Kyle ◽

Jane A. Hoppin ◽

Laura E. Beane Freeman ◽

James R. Cerhan ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽

Pesticide Exposure ◽

Population Based ◽

Health Study ◽

Serum Samples ◽

Logistic Regression Models ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Pesticide Exposures ◽

Pesticide Applicators ◽

Undetermined Significance

Abstract Pesticides are associated with excess risk of multiple myeloma, albeit inconclusively. We included 678 men (30-94 years) from a well-characterized prospective cohort of restricted-use pesticide applicators to assess the risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS). Serum samples from all subjects were analyzed by electrophoresis performed on agarose gel; samples with a discrete or localized band were subjected to immunofixation. Age-adjusted prevalence estimates of MGUS were compared with MGUS prevalence in 9469 men from Minnesota. Associations between pesticide exposures and MGUS prevalence were assessed by logistic regression models adjusted for age and education level. Among study participants older than 50 years (n = 555), 38 were found to have MGUS, yielding a prevalence of 6.8% (95% CI, 5.0%-9.3%). Compared with men from Minnesota, the age-adjusted prevalence of MGUS was 1.9-fold (95% CI, 1.3- to 2.7-fold) higher among male pesticide applicators. Among applicators, a 5.6-fold (95% CI, 1.9- to 16.6-fold), 3.9-fold (95% CI, 1.5- to 10.0-fold), and 2.4-fold (95% CI, 1.1- to 5.3-fold) increased risk of MGUS prevalence was observed among users of the chlorinated insecticide dieldrin, the fumigant mixture carbon-tetrachloride/carbon disulfide, and the fungicide chlorothalonil, respectively. In summary, the prevalence of MGUS among pesticide applicators was twice that in a population-based sample of men from Minnesota, adding support to the hypothesis that specific pesticides are causatively linked to myelomagenesis.

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Multiparameter Flow Cytometry Identification of Neoplastic Subclones: A New Biomarker in Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance and Multiple Myeloma

Acta Haematologica ◽

10.1159/000493568 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 141 (1) ◽

pp. 1-6 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Fabián Tarín ◽

Francisco López-Castaño ◽

Carmen García-Hernández ◽

Paola Beneit ◽

Héctor Sarmiento ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Flow Cytometry ◽

Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽

Residual Disease ◽

Multiparameter Flow Cytometry ◽

Risk Of Progression ◽

Disease Stages ◽

Clonality Assessment ◽

Undetermined Significance

Multiparameter flow cytometry (MFC)-based clonality assessment is a powerful method of diagnosis and follow-up in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and multiple myeloma (MM). However, the relevance of intraclonal heterogeneity in immunophenotypic studies remains poorly understood. The main objective of this work was to characterize the different immunophenotypic subclones in MGUS and MM patients and to investigate their correlation with disease stages. An 8-color MFC protocol with 17 markers was used to identify the subclones within the neoplastic compartment of 56 MGUS subjects, 151 newly diagnosed MM patients, 30 MM subjects in complete remission with detectable minimal residual disease, and 36 relapsed/refractory MM patients. Two or more clusters were observed in > 85% of MGUS subjects, 75% of stage I MM patients, and < 15% in stage III. Likewise, a significant correlation between the dominant subclone size, secondary cytogenetic features, and changes in the expression of CD27, CD44, and CD81 was detected. The loss of intraclonal equilibrium may be an important factor related with kinetics and risk of progression not well considered to date in MFC studies. The MFC strategy used in this work can provide useful biomarkers in MGUS and MM.

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Increased Risk of Monoclonal Gammopathy in First-Degree Relatives of Patients with Multiple Myeloma or Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance.

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v112.11.1672.1672 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 112 (11) ◽

pp. 1672-1672

Author(s):

Celine M Vachon ◽

Robert Kyle ◽

Terry Therneau ◽

Dirk R Larson ◽

Colin Colby ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Monoclonal Gammopathy ◽

Reference Population ◽

Population Based ◽

Protein Electrophoresis ◽

Olmsted County ◽

Serum Samples ◽

First Degree Relatives ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Undetermined Significance

Abstract Background: Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) is a common pre-malignant plasma cell disorder associated with a 1% per year risk of progression to multiple myeloma or related malignancy. Since the risk factors for MGUS are poorly defined, the goal of the present study was to determine if the risk of MGUS is increased in first degree relatives of patients with known multiple myeloma (MM) or MGUS. Methods: MGUS probands (index cases) were recruited from a population-based prevalence study of MGUS in Olmsted County, MN while MM probands were recruited through the Mayo Clinic practice. Consenting probands were asked to provide contact information on all first-degree relatives ages 40 years and older. Serum samples were then collected from first-degree relatives with informed consent and subjected to agaraose-gel electrophoresis and immunofixation. The prevalence of MGUS in first-degree relatives of MM and MGUS probands was compared to population-based rates from Olmsted County using risk ratios (RR). For comparisons to the reference population, only cases detected by protein electrophoresis and confirmed by immunofixation were included so that the diagnostic strategy was identical in the two groups being compared. Results: Serum samples were obtained from 911 relatives of 329 unique families, including 493 siblings, 324 children and 94 parents of patients with MGUS or MM. Using protein electrophoresis, monoclonal protein was detected in the serum of 55 (6%) while immunofixation identified 28 additional relatives (3%), for an age- and sex-adjusted prevalence rate of 8.1% (95%CI: 6.3, 9.8). The age-specific prevalence of MGUS in first-degree relatives increased with age (1.9%, 6.9%, 11.6%, 14.6%, and 21.0% for ages 40–49, 50–59, 60–69, 70–79 and ≥80, respectively; P<0.001). Based on similar MGUS detection methodology as the reference population, there was a significantly higher risk of MGUS in first-degree relatives (age-adjusted RR, 2.6, 95%CI: 1.9, 3.4) compared to the reference population. The increased risk (P<0.001) was seen both in relatives of MM probands (RR, 2.0, 95%CI: 1.4, 2.8), as well as MGUS probands (RR, 3.3, 95%CI: 2.1, 4.8). This association was similar across age of proband, age and gender of relative, and relationship of the first-degree relative. When examining whether the increased risk of MGUS in relatives was specific to probands with a large monoclonal protein concentration or specific monoclonal immunoglobulin isotype (i.e. high-risk MGUS phenotype), there was suggestion of a greater risk for relatives of probands with a high (3 1.5 g/dL) M-protein (RR, 2.8, 95%CI: 2.0,3.8) compared to lower M-protein levels (RR, 1.8, 95%CI: 1.1,2.8) although the difference did not reach statistical significance (P=0.12). The risk of MGUS in relatives did not differ by proband’s isotype (IgG vs. other). Conclusions: First-degree relatives of patients with MM or MGUS have a greater than two-fold risk of MGUS compared to the general population, implying underlying genetic predisposition for these diseases and providing rationale for identifying genetic determinants of MGUS. This study also provides important baseline rates of MGUS in first-degree relatives that impact the clinical care of these patients.

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