Skip to main content

Thank you for visiting nature.com. You are using a browser version with limited support for CSS. To obtain the best experience, we recommend you use a more up to date browser (or turn off compatibility mode in Internet Explorer). In the meantime, to ensure continued support, we are displaying the site without styles and JavaScript.

  • Original Article
  • Published:

Myeloma

Impact of primary molecular cytogenetic abnormalities and risk of progression in smoldering multiple myeloma

Abstract

We studied 351 patients with smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) in whom the underlying primary molecular cytogenetic subtype could be determined based on cytoplasmic immunoglobulin fluorescent in situ hybridization studies. Hundred and fifty-four patients (43.9%) had trisomies, 127 (36.2%) had immunoglobulin heavy chain (IgH) translocations, 14 (4%) both trisomies and IgH translocations, 53 (15.1%) no abnormalities detected and 3 (0.9%) had monosomy13/del(13q) in the absence of any other abnormality. Among 127 patients with IgH translocations, 57 were t(11;14), 36 t(4;14), 11 musculoaponeurotic fibrosarcoma (MAF) translocations, and 23 other or unknown IgH translocation partner. Time to progression (TTP) to symptomatic multiple myeloma was significantly shorter in patients with the t(4;14) compared with patients with t(11;14), median 28 versus 55 months, respectively, P=0.025. The median TTP was 28 months with t(4;14) (high-risk), 34 months with trisomies alone (intermediate-risk), 55 months with t(11;14), MAF translocations, other/unknown IgH translocations, monosomy13/del(13q) without other abnormalities, and those with both trisomies and IgH translocations (standard-risk), and not reached in patients with no detectable abnormalities (low-risk), P=0.001. There was a trend to shorter TTP with deletion 17p (median TTP, 24 months). Overall survival from diagnosis of SMM was significantly inferior with t(4;14) compared with t(11;14), median 105 versus 147 months, respectively, P=0.036.

This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution

Access options

Buy this article

Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout

Figure 1
Figure 2
Figure 3
Figure 4
Figure 5

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  1. Rajkumar SV . Treatment of multiple myeloma. Nature Rev Clin Oncol 2011; 8: 479–491.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  2. Rajkumar SV . Multiple myeloma: 2013 update on diagnosis, risk-stratification, and management. Am J Hematol 2013; 88: 225–235.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  3. Kumar SK, Lee JH, Lahuerta JJ, Morgan G, Richardson PG, Crowley J et al. Risk of progression and survival in multiple myeloma relapsing after therapy with IMiDs and bortezomib: a multicenter international myeloma working group study. Leukemia 2012; 26: 149–157.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  4. Sinha S, Lacy M, Mikhael J, Hayman S, Buadi F, Detweiler-Short K et al. Response to salvage therapies and outcome in patients with multiple myeloma relapsing after pomalidomide therapy. Leukemia 2012; 26: 839–841.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  5. Mohty B, El-Cheikh J, Yakoub-Agha I, Avet-Loiseau H, Moreau P, Mohty M . Treatment strategies in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma: a focus on drug sequencing and 'retreatment' approaches in the era of novel agents. Leukemia 2012; 26: 73–85.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  6. Short KD, Rajkumar SV, Larson D, Buadi F, Hayman S, Dispenzieri A et al. Incidence of extramedullary disease in patients with multiple myeloma in the era of novel therapy, and the activity of pomalidomide on extramedullary myeloma. Leukemia 2011; 25: 906–908.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  7. Landgren O, Kyle RA, Pfeiffer RM, Katzmann JA, Caporaso NE, Hayes RB et al. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) consistently precedes multiple myeloma: a prospective study. Blood 2009; 113: 5412–5417.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  8. Weiss BM, Abadie J, Verma P, Howard RS, Kuehl WM . A monoclonal gammopathy precedes multiple myeloma in most patients. Blood 2009; 113: 5418–5422.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  9. Kyle RA, Therneau TM, Rajkumar SV, Offord JR, Larson DR, Plevak MF et al. A long-term study of prognosis of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. N Engl J Med 2002; 346: 564–569.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  10. Kyle RA, Therneau TM, Rajkumar SV, Larson DR, Plevak MF, Offord JR et al. Prevalence of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. N Engl J Med 2006; 354: 1362–1369.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  11. Greenberg AJ, Vachon CM, Rajkumar SV . Disparities in the prevalence, pathogenesis and progression of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and multiple myeloma between blacks and whites. Leukemia 2012; 26: 609–614.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  12. Kyle RA, Remstein ED, Therneau TM, Dispenzieri A, Kurtin PJ, Hodnefield JM et al. Clinical course and prognosis of smoldering (asymptomatic) multiple myeloma. N Engl J Med 2007; 356: 2582–2590.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  13. Rajkumar SV, Merlini G, San Miguel JF . Redefining myeloma. Nature Rev Clin Oncol 2012; 9: 494–496.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  14. Blade J, Dimopoulos M, Rosinol L, Rajkumar SV, Kyle RA . Smoldering (asymptomatic) multiple myeloma: current diagnostic criteria, new predictors of outcome, and follow-up recommendations. J Clin Oncol 2010; 28: 690–697.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  15. Fonseca R, Barlogie B, Bataille R, Bastard C, Bergsagel PL, Chesi M et al. Genetics and cytogenetics of multiple myeloma: a workshop report. Cancer Res 2004; 64: 1546–1558.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  16. Fonseca R, Bergsagel PL, Drach J, Shaughnessy J, Gutierrez N, Stewart AK et al. International Myeloma Working Group molecular classification of multiple myeloma: spotlight review. Leukemia 2009; 23: 2210–2221.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  17. Kumar SK, Mikhael JR, Buadi FK, Dingli D, Dispenzieri A, Fonseca R et al. Management of newly diagnosed symptomatic multiple myeloma: updated Mayo Stratification of Myeloma and Risk-Adapted Therapy (mSMART) Consensus Guidelines. Mayo Clinic Proc 2009; 84: 1095–1110.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  18. Kaufmann H, Ackermann J, Baldia C, Nosslinger T, Wieser R, Seidl S et al. Both IGH translocations and chromosome 13q deletions are early events in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and do not evolve during transition to multiple myeloma. Leukemia 2004; 18: 1879–1882.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  19. Bianchi G, Kyle RA, Larson DR, Witzig TE, Kumar S, Dispenzieri A et al. High levels of peripheral blood circulating plasma cells as a specific risk factor for progression of smoldering multiple myeloma. Leukemia 2012; 27: 680–685.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  20. Kastritis E, Terpos E, Moulopoulos L, Spyropoulou-Vlachou M, Kanellias N, Eleftherakis-Papaiakovou E et al. Extensive bone marrow infiltration and abnormal free light chain ratio identifies patients with asymptomatic myeloma at high risk for progression to symptomatic disease. Leukemia 2012; advance online publication 27 November 2012; doi:10.1038/leu.2012.309.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  21. Katzmann JA, Clark R, Kyle RA, Larson DR, Therneau TM, Melton LJ III et al. Suppression of uninvolved immunoglobulins defined by heavy/light-chain pair suppression is a risk factor for progression of MGUS. Leukemia 2012; 27: 208–212.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  22. Larsen JT, Kumar SK, Dispenzieri A, Kyle RA, Katzmann JA, Rajkumar SV . Serum free light chain ratio as a biomarker for high-risk smoldering multiple myeloma. Leukemia 2012; advance online publication 27 November 2012; doi:10.1038/leu.2012.296.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  23. Avet-Loiseau H, Magrangeas F, Moreau P, Attal M, Facon T, Anderson K et al. Molecular heterogeneity of multiple myeloma: pathogenesis, prognosis, and therapeutic implications. J Clin Oncol 2011; 29: 1893–1897.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  24. Avet-Loiseau H, Soulier J, Fermand JP, Yakoub-Agha I, Attal M, Hulin C et al. Impact of high-risk cytogenetics and prior therapy on outcomes in patients with advanced relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma treated with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone. Leukemia 2010; 24: 623–628.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  25. The International Myeloma Working Group. Criteria for the classification of monoclonal gammopathies, multiple myeloma and related disorders: a report of the International Myeloma Working Group. Br J Haematol 2003; 121: 749–757.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  26. Kyle RA, Rajkumar SV . Criteria for diagnosis, staging, risk stratification and response assessment of multiple myeloma. Leukemia 2009; 23: 3–9.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  27. Fonseca R, Bailey RJ, Ahmann GJ, Rajkumar SV, Hoyer JD, Lust JA et al. Genomic abnormalities in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance. Blood 2002; 100: 1417–1424.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  28. Fonseca R, Harrington D, Oken MM, Dewald GW, Bailey RJ, Van Wier SA et al. Biological and prognostic significance of interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization detection of chromosome 13 abnormalities in multiple myeloma: an Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Study. Cancer Res 2002; 62: 715–720.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  29. Fonseca R, Aguayo P, Ahmann GJ, Jalal SM, Rajkumar SV, Kyle RA et al. Translocations at 14q32 are common in patients with the monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and involve several partner chromosomes. Blood 1999; 94 (Suppl 1): 663a (A 2943).

    Google Scholar 

  30. Tricot G, Barlogie B, Jagannath S, Bracy D, Mattox S, Vesole DH et al. Poor prognosis in multiple myeloma is associated only with partial or complete deletions of chromosome 13 or abnormalities involving 11q and not with other karyotype abnormalities. Blood 1995; 86: 4250–4256.

    CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  31. Avet-Louseau H, Daviet A, Sauner S, Bataille R, Intergroupe Francophone du M. Chromosome 13 abnormalities in multiple myeloma are mostly monosomy 13. Br J Haematol 2000; 111: 1116–1117.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  32. Shaughnessy J Jr., Tian E, Sawyer J, McCoy J, Tricot G, Jacobson J et al. Prognostic impact of cytogenetic and interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization-defined chromosome 13 deletion in multiple myeloma: early results of total therapy II. Br J Haematol 2003; 120: 44–52.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  33. Dispenzieri A, Kyle RA, Katzmann JA, Therneau TM, Larson D, Benson J et al. Immunoglobulin free light chain ratio is an independent risk factor for progression of smoldering (asymptomatic) multiple myeloma. Blood, 17 October 2008 2007; 111: 785–789.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  34. Kumar S, Zhang L, Dispenzieri A, Van Wier S, Katzmann JA, Snyder M et al. Relationship between elevated immunoglobulin free light chain and the presence of IgH translocations in multiple myeloma. Leukemia 2010; 24: 1498–1505.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  35. Kyle RA, Durie BG, Rajkumar SV, Landgren O, Blade J, Merlini G et al. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering (asymptomatic) multiple myeloma: IMWG consensus perspectives risk factors for progression and guidelines for monitoring and management. Leukemia 2010; 24: 1121–1127.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  36. Kyle RA, Durie BGM, Rajkumar SV, Landgren O, Blade J, Merlini G et al. Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) and smoldering (asymptomatic) multiple myeloma: IMWG consensus perspectives risk factors for progression and guidelines for monitoring and management. Leukemia 2010; 24: 1121–1127.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  37. Alexanian R, Barlogie B, Dixon D . Prognosis of asymptomatic multiple myeloma. Arch Intern Med 1988; 148: 1963–1965.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  38. Rajkumar SV, Gertz MA, Lacy MQ, Dispenzieri A, Fonseca R, Geyer SM et al. Thalidomide as initial therapy for early-stage myeloma. Leukemia 2003; 17: 775–779.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  39. Witzig TE, Laumann KM, Lacy MQ, Hayman SR, Dispenzieri A, Kumar S et al. A phase III randomized trial of thalidomide plus zoledronic acid versus zoledronic acid alone in patients with asymptomatic multiple myeloma. Leukemia 2012; 27: 220–225.

    Article  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  40. Barlogie B, van Rhee F, Shaughnessy JD Jr, Epstein J, Yaccoby S, Pineda-Roman M et al. Seven-year median time to progression with thalidomide for smoldering myeloma: partial response identifies subset requiring earlier salvage therapy for symptomatic disease. Blood 2008; 112: 3122–3125.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  41. Musto P, Petrucci MT, Bringhen S, Guglielmelli T, Caravita T, Bongarzoni V et al. A multicenter, randomized clinical trial comparing zoledronic acid versus observation in patients with asymptomatic myeloma. Cancer 2008; 113: 1588–1595.

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  42. Lust JA, Lacy MQ, Zeldenrust SR, Dispenzieri A, Gertz MA, Witzig TE et al. Induction of a chronic disease state in patients with smoldering or indolent multiple myeloma by targeting interleukin 1{beta}-induced interleukin 6 production and the myeloma proliferative component. Mayo Clin Proc 2009; 84: 114–122.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  43. Golombick T, Diamond TH, Manoharan A, Ramakrishna R . Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance, smoldering multiple myeloma, and curcumin: a randomized, double-blind placebo-controlled cross-over 4g study and an open-label 8g extension study. Am J Hematol 2012; 87: 455–460.

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  44. Mateos M, Lopez-Corral L, Hernandez M, Giraldo P, De la Rubia J, De Arriba F et al. Smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) at high-risk of progression to symptomatic disease: a phase III, randomized, multicenter trial based on lenalidomide-dexamethasone (Len-Dex) as induction therapy followed by maintenance therapy with Len alone vs no treatment. Blood 2011; 118: 3996.

    Article  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

This work was supported by National Cancer Institute grants CA168762, CA 107476, CA 100707, CA90297052 and CA 83724. Also supported in part by ECOG CA 21115T, the Jabbs Foundation (Birmingham, UK), the Henry J. Predolin Foundation, USA, Mayo Clinic Cancer Center and the Mayo Foundation. Rafael Fonseca is a Clinical Investigator of the Damon Runyon Cancer Research Fund.

Author contributions

SVR and SKK designed the research, analyzed the data, wrote and edited the manuscript. VG, RF, AD, WIG, DL, RPK, JAL and RAK participated in data interpretation, reviewed the manuscript and provided critical comments. All authors reviewed and approved the final manuscript.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

Authors

Corresponding author

Correspondence to S V Rajkumar.

Ethics declarations

Competing interests

Dr Fonseca has received a patent for the prognostication of MM based on genetic categorization of the disease. He has received consulting fees from Medtronic, Otsuka, Celgene, Genzyme, BMS, Lilly, Onyx, Binding Site, Millenium and AMGEN. He also has sponsored research from Cylene and Onyx. The remaining authors declare no conflict of interest.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Rajkumar, S., Gupta, V., Fonseca, R. et al. Impact of primary molecular cytogenetic abnormalities and risk of progression in smoldering multiple myeloma. Leukemia 27, 1738–1744 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1038/leu.2013.86

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/leu.2013.86

Keywords

This article is cited by

Search

Quick links