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Myeloma

Predictive value of longitudinal whole-body magnetic resonance imaging in patients with smoldering multiple myeloma

Leukemia volume 28, pages 1902–1908 (2014)Cite this article

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Abstract

Previous studies demonstrated the relevance of focal lesions (FL) in whole-body magnetic resonance imaging (wb-MRI) at the initial workup of patients with smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM). The aim of this study was to assess the effects of longitudinal wb-MRIs on progression into multiple myeloma (MM). Sixty-three patients with SMM were analyzed who received at least two wb-MRIs for follow-up before progression into MM. Radiological progressive disease (MRI-PD) was defined as detection of new FL or increase in diameter of existing FL and a novel or progressive diffuse infiltration. Radiological stable disease (MRI-SD) was defined by no change compared with the prior MRI. Patients were followed-up every 3–6 months, including a serological and clinical evaluation. One Hundred and eighty-two wb-MRIs were analyzed. MRI-PD occurred in 31 patients (49%), and 25 (40%) patients developed MM. MRI-PD was highly significantly associated with progression into MM, regardless of findings at the initial MRI. In multivariate analysis, MRI-PD remained a risk factor, independent of relevant baseline parameters like serum monoclonal protein or ⩾95% aberrant plasma cells in the bone marrow. Patients with MRI-SD had no higher risk of progression, even when FL were present at the initial MRI. Therefore, MRI is suitable for the follow-up of patients with SMM.

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Acknowledgements

We thank the Dietmar-Hopp-Stiftung and the Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (SFB Transregio 79) for research funding.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Hematology and Oncology, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

    M Merz, S Sauer, S Shah, M S Raab, K Neben, D Hose, G Egerer, H Goldschmidt & J Hillengass

  2. Department of Radiology, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany

    M Merz, B Wagner, S Delorme & J Hillengass

  3. Division of Biostatistics, German Cancer Research Center, Heidelberg, Germany

    T Hielscher

  4. Department of Human Genetics, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

    A Jauch

  5. Department of Diagnostic and Interventional Radiology, University Hospital of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany

    M-A Weber

  6. National Center for Tumor Diseases, Heidelberg, Germany

    H Goldschmidt

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  1. M Merz
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  14. J Hillengass
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Correspondence to M Merz.

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Additional information

Previous presentations: Parts of this work were presented at the 2013 ASCO Annual Meeting.

Supplementary Information accompanies this paper on the Leukemia website

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Merz, M., Hielscher, T., Wagner, B. et al. Predictive value of longitudinal whole-body magnetic resonance imaging in patients with smoldering multiple myeloma. Leukemia 28, 1902–1908 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1038/leu.2014.75

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