Correlation between serum lactate dehydrogenase, β₂-microglobulin and free light chain levels and prognosis in...

To investigate the correlations between the serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), β₂-microglobulin(β₂-MG) and free light chains (FLCs) and the prognosis of patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

This retrospective study included a total of 180 cases, among 80 patients diagnosed with MM(MM group) at Affiliated Hospital of Hebei University between January 2020 to January 2024 and 100 healthy individuals(control group) undergoing routine physical examinations during the same period. Prognosis was assessed using the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status scale. Serum levels of LDH, β₂-MG and FLCs were compared among the three groups and the relationships between these biomarkers and the clinical characteristics of MM were analyzed.

Compared with the control group, the MM group exhibited significantly higher levels of LDH, β₂-MG and FLCs(P< 0.05, respectively). In patients with MM, elevated serum levels of these biomarkers were significantly associated with advanced age(> 60 years), high ECOG scores(> 3) and advanced Durie-Salmon(DS) stage(stage III). Notably, significantly higher levels were observed in female patients, those with severe anemia and those with the immunoglobulin G IgG subtype of MM (P < 0.05, respectively). Patients in the PP group had significantly higher levels of LDH, β₂-MG and FLCs compared with the FP group(P< 0.05, respectively).

Elevated serum levels of LDH, β₂-MG and FLC are risk factors for poor prognosis in patients with MM. Combined assessment of these three biomarkers may improve clinical evaluation and prognostic stratification.