Circulating Adiponectin Levels Differ Between Patients with Multiple Myeloma and its Precursor Disease

Area of Science:

• Endocrinology
• Oncology
• Metabolic Research

Background:

• Low prediagnostic adiponectin levels are linked to increased multiple myeloma (MM) risk.
• Adiponectin, a metabolic hormone, is typically underexpressed in overweight or obese individuals.
• Understanding adiponectin's role in MM development is crucial.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the association between circulating adiponectin levels and the progression of MM.
• To compare adiponectin levels across different stages of MM and its precursor, monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS).

Main Methods:

• Adiponectin levels were measured in 213 patients diagnosed with MGUS, smoldering MM, or MM.
• Multivariate linear regression was employed to analyze differences in adiponectin levels across patient groups.

Main Results:

• Adiponectin levels were significantly lower in patients with smoldering and fully developed MM compared to MGUS patients (16%-20% decrease).
• Patients with IgG/IgA isotypes showed a 26%-28% decrease in adiponectin levels.
• Within the MGUS group, individuals with the higher-risk IgM isotype had significantly lower adiponectin levels (42% decrease) compared to those with IgG/IgA isotypes.

Conclusions:

• Reduced adiponectin expression may be associated with the progression from MGUS to MM.
• This study provides the largest investigation of adiponectin levels in MM patients and the first to link them with clinical characteristics.