Value of serum-free light chain measurements in response and progression assessment in multiple myeloma with monoclonal protein measurable by electrophoresis

Abstract

Uniform assessment of response to treatment is crucial to managing multiple myeloma (MM) and developing new therapies. Measurement of monoclonal protein forms the cornerstone of disease assessment in MM. According to International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) guidelines, serum-free light chain (sFLC) is included in MM response assessment in patients with no measurable disease by electrophoresis and to define stringent complete response. We retrospectively analyzed the independent value of serial FLC on response and progression assessments in 839 patients with measurable disease by sFLC as well as serum/urine electrophoresis. A significant association was observed between sFLC and electrophoretic responses during initial therapy and at best response (p < 0.001). This study revealed comparable percentage changes in serial dFLC and urine M-protein, with parallel trends (p < 0.001) and strong correlations (r 0.55–0.79, p < 0.001). The response was detected earlier by sFLC (1.1 months, 95% CI 1.06–1.17), and sFLC ≥ PR after two cycles of induction demonstrated a strong predictive value for subsequent electrophoresis responses (OR 9.33, p < 0.001). Following induction, no difference in PFS was observed between very good partial response (VGPR) as determined by sFLC, sPEP, and uPEP (p = 0.538). The median second-PFS for patients with only sFLC-progression disease (PD) was similar to those with urine M-protein PD with or without sFLC-PD (HR 1.28, 95% CI 0.77–2.13, p 0.334). However, the median overall survival from the first relapse was significantly better for patients with only sFLC-PD (HR 1.87, 95% CI 1.07–3.27, p 0.03). Among patients with PD, 12% had sFLC as the only detectable tumor marker at the time of second-line therapy. This study supports the incorporation of serial sFLC measurements for monitoring response and progression in MM, even in patients with electrophoretic measurable disease, and further advocates replacing 24-h urine with serial sFLC in response assessment.