Bone Pain in Multiple Myeloma (BPMM)-A Protocol for a Prospective, Longitudinal, Observational Study

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Pain Medicine
• Neuroscience

Background:

• Multiple myeloma (MM) frequently causes bone pain, affecting up to 70% of patients.
• Preclinical models suggest nerve sprouting and injury contribute to MM pain, but clinical data is limited.

Purpose of the Study:

• To deeply characterize the subjective pain experience and quality of life in MM patients.
• To investigate disturbances in bone innervation associated with MM.
• To explore correlations between pain, inflammation, and bone turnover biomarkers.

Main Methods:

• Prospective, observational clinical study (NCT04273425) at Sheffield Teaching Hospital.
• Participants underwent diagnostic iliac crest biopsy and completed validated questionnaires on pain, quality of life, and catastrophizing.
• Serum biomarkers (inflammatory cytokines, bone turnover) and bone innervation were analyzed.

Main Results:

• This section is to be filled once the study results are available.

Conclusions:

• This study represents the first comprehensive analysis of MM-associated pain and its relationship with bone innervation.
• Understanding the interplay of bone turnover, inflammation, and innervation is critical for developing novel analgesic targets in multiple myeloma.