Prophylactic Immunoglobulin Supplementation for Infection Prevention in Multiple Myeloma: An Updated Systematic...

Area of Science:

• Hematology
• Immunology
• Clinical Trials

Background:

• Multiple myeloma (MM) patients face a high risk of infection.
• Prophylactic immunoglobulin (Ig) supplementation is a potential strategy to mitigate infection risk.
• Previous evidence on Ig supplementation in MM is limited by contemporary treatment advancements.

Purpose of the Study:

• To conduct an updated systematic review and meta-analysis (SRMA) on prophylactic Ig supplementation in MM.
• To evaluate the real-world effectiveness of Ig supplementation in reducing infection risk in MM patients undergoing modern therapies.

Main Methods:

• An updated SRMA was performed, including observational and randomized controlled trials.
• Searches were conducted in PubMed, Scopus, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials up to July 2025.
• Seven studies with 2345 MM patients were included in the meta-analysis.

Main Results:

• Ig supplementation significantly lowered the cumulative incidence of severe infections (34.4% vs. 56.3%; P = .027).
• No significant difference was observed in the cumulative incidence of overall infections (50.0% vs. 38.6%; P = .70).
• Overall survival (OS) showed no significant difference (hazard ratio 0.57; P = .086).

Conclusions:

• Prophylactic Ig supplementation effectively reduces severe infections in multiple myeloma patients.
• The findings highlight a significant benefit in managing infection complications.
• Further prospective research is recommended to validate these outcomes.