Mutations can occur in the chromosomes of people with multiple myeloma, a type of bone marrow cancer. Cytogenetics examines how these mutations affect the prognosis and treatment options for individuals with this cancer.
Chromosomes are thread-like structures in a cell’s nucleus that contains genes. These chromosomes can develop mutations, which may cause disease.
Cytogenetics refers to the study of chromosomes, including their links to disease. The field is vital for diagnosing, managing, and understanding the risk and prognosis for people with cancers.
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a cancer of the plasma cells, which are mainly in the bone marrow. People with MM commonly have chromosomal mutations, and doctors use cytogenetics to determine the best stage, risk, and treatment for this condition.
Keep reading to learn more about cytogenetics and MM.
MM is a type of cancer that affects plasma cells, a type of immune cell. Individuals with MM may experience a variety of symptoms and outcomes. These
The International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) recommends cytogenetic testing for people with MM for the initial diagnosis and relapse. This is because chromosomal mutations influence disease progression and outcomes of individuals with the disease.
Doctors divide cytogenetic mutations for MM into two classes: primary and secondary.
Primary
These are mutations that occur during the monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) stage, a noncancerous condition that affects plasma cells.
However, according to the National Cancer Institute, around
The primary mutations typically affect the immunoglobulin genes, which make antibodies to fight disease. For example, it can cause parts of a chromosome to break away and reattach to a different chromosome. Doctors call these translocation mutations.
The
Secondary
Secondary mutations occur later in the disease or during its progression — they can develop in any MM subtypes and may overlap. This means a person can have several secondary cytogenetic mutations.
Secondary mutations can also be monosomic, where the mutation causes one member of a chromosome pair to be missing. For example, people with MM could be missing a chromosome from numbers 13–17.
Risk categories
A
- high risk, where mutations could include a deletion on chromosome 17
- intermediate risk, which could include a trisomy
- standard risk, which includes mutations that are not in the intermediate or high risk categories
- low risk, where no mutations are present
A
Several factors influence a person’s prognosis and treatment options for MM, including age, renal function, and cancer stage. However, cytogenetic mutations are another major influence on the likely outcome of MM.
A 2019 study found that people in intermediate and high-risk groups had a lower likelihood of survival than those in low-risk groups.
Low-risk groups had a 75% chance of survival over 5 years. In contrast, individuals in the intermediate and high-risk groups had a 50–75% and lower than 50% chance of survival, respectively.
The study also found that those in high-risk groups had a 6–15-fold higher risk of death than those in low-risk groups.
Clinical trials have found that people with different cytogenetic mutations show varied responses to treatments and therapies. These different responses can affect the chances of survival.
For example, a
Additionally, a
Cytogenetic abnormalities can also influence how the MM develops, which affects prognosis.
For example, the same 2020 study found that renal problems are higher in people with specific translocations. Another study found that
Treatment for MM varies depending on factors that include a person’s age, kidney function, cancer stage, and whether they are eligible for stem cell transplants. Cytogenetics also influences treatment options, including in those with newly diagnosed MM.
Drugs
There are various treatments for MM, including:
- chemotherapy
- corticosteroids, such as dexamethasone
- immunomodulating agents, such as thalidomide
- proteasome inhibitors, such as bortezomib
- histone deacetylase inhibitors
- monoclonal antibodies, such as daratumumab
- antibody-drug conjugates
- nuclear export inhibitor
Doctors typically combine these drugs to improve their effectiveness. For example, a healthcare professional may recommend bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone for individuals with a new diagnosis of MM.
Doctors may also recommend different treatments depending on a person’s cytogenetic risk group. The IMWG recommends bortezomib and carfilzomib for people in high-risk groups to improve treatment responses and survival.
Radiation therapy
Radiation therapy treats bone areas affected by MM damage. These are usually in cases where chemotherapy is not working, there is severe pain, or there is a risk of bone fractures, potentially leading to paralysis.
Stem cell transplant
Stem cell transplant involves taking stem cells from someone without MM for use in people with MM. A
Learn more about stem cell transplants for MM.
Chimeric antigen receptor-cell therapy
Chimeric antigen receptor-cell therapy involves removing T-cells, altering their structure, and replacing them in a person’s blood. The treatment can support the immune system to fight cancerous cells in individuals with MM.
Cytogenetics can improve prognosis, treatment response, and care for people with MM.
Doctors will use cytogenetic risk categories to determine the best treatment approaches. Some cytogenetic mutations will require specific treatments or increase the risk of complications.