Early Normalization of Free Light Chains Predicts Better Outcomes in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

The half-life of free light chain is short and can be used as an early marker for tumor response in patients with multiple myeloma [MM]. This prospective study is aimed at evaluating whether early light chain response can predict response to treatment in patients with MM.

Thirty six patients with a diagnosis of MM and with an abnormal to normal light chain ratio of > 10 were included in this study.

The median age at presentation was 56 years. Fourteen patients had lambda light chain disease, whereas 22 patients had kappa light chain disease. Twenty-four patients [66.6%] had reduction of abnormal to normal light chain ratio to < 10 after 2 cycles, of whom 15 [62.5%] achieved a CR or VGPR after 6 cycles. Among 12 patients who did not have reduction of abnormal to normal light chain ratio to < 10, only 1 patient achieved CR while 11 patients [91.6%] achieved a PR or less[Fishers exact p=0.004]. Median follow-up was 13 months. Median progression-free survival for the entire cohort was 15 months. One-year Progression-Free Survival was 77% vs 57.1%, [p= 0.008], respectively for patients with early normalization and those who did not show early normalization.

Early light chain response after 2 cycles of chemotherapy is a good predictor for treatment response in patients with MM treated with bortezomib based chemotherapy. Treatment intensification based on early light chain response merits further evaluation in a prospective trial