Bone mineral density utilization in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

Understanding and Managing Fracture Risk in Patients With Cancer: A Literature Review

One of the most important complications of cancer and its treatments is the increased fracture risk. Fractures can have a significant impact on the patient's quality of life and may be associated with morbidity, mortality, and reduced functional status. The present study aims to investigate the mechanisms underlying the increased risk of fractures in cancer patients, the effect of cancer treatments on fracture risk, and strategies to prevent fractures in this population. This is a literature review using the PubMed - National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), Web of Science, Cochrane Library, Scopus, and electronic internet databases. The search was based on the keywords "fracture risk" AND "cancer", NOT ("osteoporosis" OR "osteoporotic"). Inclusion criteria were clinical studies assessing fracture pathogenesis and prevention, along with fracture risk estimation in cancer patients. Non-human studies, pediatric studies, non-English studies, editorials, and study protocols were excluded. After the application of inclusion and exclusion criteria, 146 studies were finally included. Fracture risk is particularly increased in patients with malignancies. This is due to the direct effect of cancer cells on bone metabolism, the existence of cancer-related factors (bone metastases, hypercalcemia, malnutrition, and increased risk of falls), coexisting diseases (osteoporosis, diabetes mellitus, and rheumatoid arthritis), and the side effects of anticancer treatments (chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and hormone therapy). Fracture risk assessment is based on the measurement of bone mineral density (DXA), the use of the Fracture Risk Assessment Tool (FRAX), laboratory tests (measurement of calcium, phosphorus, vitamin D, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, and biomarkers of bone metabolism), and imaging methods (X-rays, computed tomography, magnetic resonance imaging, and PET/CT of bones). To reduce fracture risk in cancer patients, lifestyle changes (exercise, smoking cessation) and anti-osteoclastic drugs such as bisphosphonates and denosumab are administered. Fracture risk in cancer patients is influenced by various factors, including the type of cancer, stage of disease, cancer treatments, bone health status, and presence of bone metastases. Overall, fracture risk in cancer patients is multifactorial and requires comprehensive evaluation and management to optimize bone health and quality of life.

Pre-Transplant Dual-Energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA)-Derived Body Composition Measures as Predictors of Treatment Outcomes and Early Post-Transplant Complications in Patients with Multiple Myeloma (MM) Treated with Autologous Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation (AutoHSCT)

Background/Objectives: Changes in muscle mass and bone density are common in multiple myeloma (MM) patients. Dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) offers precise, non-invasive insights into a patient's physical condition before autologous stem cell transplantation (autoHSCT). This study examines how pre-transplant body composition impacts treatment outcomes and early complications in MM patients undergoing autoHSCT. Methods: This study is a single-center, retrospective analysis of patients with MM who were treated with first or second autoHSCT and underwent DXA pre-transplant between 11 August 2019 and 12 June 2024. Results: We conducted a study of pre-transplant body composition in 127 patients with MM. Among them, 108 (85%) qualified for first autoHSCT, while 19 (15%) qualified for a second. The median age of the patients was 64 years (range 50-73). In the Cox proportional hazards regression conducted in the group of women, Total Body %Fat was a statistically significant predictor for progression-free survival (PFS) (HR = 0.07, 95% CI = 0.01,0.6, p = 0.0157). In the Mann-Whitney U test conducted on males, Lean Mass/Height2 and Appen. Lean Height2 were statistically significant predictors of early infections after autoHSCT (Z = 1.98, p = 0.0473 and Z = 2.32, p = 0.0204, respectively). In males, Fat Mass/Height2 was a significant predictor of non-infectious toxicity related to treatment (Z = -1.98, p = 0.0476). Conclusions: In women, higher levels of adipose tissue initially appear to exert a protective effect; however, this benefit diminishes over time, with greater fat mass eventually correlating with an increased risk of disease progression. In men, muscle mass has been identified as a significant predictor of early infection risk post-autoHSCT. Furthermore, our findings indicate that an increased amount of adipose tissue in men is statistically associated with a higher risk of non-infectious treatment-related toxicity. These conclusions highlight the critical need for further investigation into the role of body composition.

Fracture risk and assessment in adults with cancer

Individuals with cancer face unique risk factors for osteoporosis and fractures. Clinicians must consider the additive effects of cancer-specific factors, including treatment-induced bone loss, and premorbid fracture risk, utilizing FRAX score and bone mineral densitometry when available. Pharmacologic therapy should be offered as per cancer-specific guidelines, when available, or local general osteoporosis guidelines informed by clinical judgment and patient preferences. Our objective was to review and summarize the epidemiologic burden of osteoporotic fracture risk and fracture risk assessment in adults with cancer, and recommended treatment thresholds for cancer treatment-induced bone loss, with specific focus on breast, prostate, thyroid, gynecological, multiple myeloma, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant. This narrative review was informed by PubMed searches to July 25, 2022, that combined terms for cancer, stem cell transplantation, fracture, bone mineral density (BMD), trabecular bone score, FRAX, Garvan nomogram or fracture risk calculator, QFracture, prediction, and risk factors. The literature informs that cancer can impact bone health in numerous ways, leading to both systemic and localized decreases in BMD. Many cancer treatments can have detrimental effects on bone health. In particular, hormone deprivation therapies for hormone-responsive cancers such as breast cancer and prostate cancer, and hematopoietic stem cell transplant for hematologic malignancies, adversely affect bone turnover, resulting in osteoporosis and fractures. Surgical treatments such as hysterectomy with bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy for gynecological cancers can also lead to deleterious effects on bone health. Radiation therapy is well documented to cause localized bone loss and fractures. Few studies have validated the use of fracture risk prediction tools in the cancer population. Guidelines on cancer-specific treatment thresholds are limited, and major knowledge gaps still exist in fracture risk and fracture risk assessment in patients with cancer. Despite the limitations of current knowledge on fracture risk assessment and treatment thresholds in patients with cancer, clinicians must consider the additive effects of bone damaging factors to which these patients are exposed and their premorbid fracture risk profile. Pharmacologic treatment should be offered as per cancer-specific guidelines when available, or per local general osteoporosis guidelines, in accordance with clinical judgment and patient preferences.

Feasibility of artificial intelligence–supported assessment of bone marrow infiltration using dual-energy computed tomography in patients with evidence of monoclonal protein — a retrospective observational study

Objectives

To demonstrate the feasibility of an automated, non-invasive approach to estimate bone marrow (BM) infiltration of multiple myeloma (MM) by dual-energy computed tomography (DECT) after virtual non-calcium (VNCa) post-processing.

Methods

Individuals with MM and monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance (MGUS) with concurrent DECT and BM biopsy between May 2018 and July 2020 were included in this retrospective observational study. Two pathologists and three radiologists reported BM infiltration and presence of osteolytic bone lesions, respectively. Bone mineral density (BMD) was quantified CT-based by a CE-certified software. Automated spine segmentation was implemented by a pre-trained convolutional neural network. The non-fatty portion of BM was defined as voxels > 0 HU in VNCa. For statistical assessment, multivariate regression and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) were conducted.

Results

Thirty-five patients (mean age 65 ± 12 years; 18 female) were evaluated. The non-fatty portion of BM significantly predicted BM infiltration after adjusting for the covariable BMD (p = 0.007, r = 0.46). A non-fatty portion of BM > 0.93% could anticipate osteolytic lesions and the clinical diagnosis of MM with an area under the ROC curve of 0.70 [0.49–0.90] and 0.71 [0.54–0.89], respectively. Our approach identified MM-patients without osteolytic lesions on conventional CT with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.63 and 0.71, respectively.

Conclusions

Automated, AI-supported attenuation assessment of the spine in DECT VNCa is feasible to predict BM infiltration in MM. Further, the proposed method might allow for pre-selecting patients with higher pre-test probability of osteolytic bone lesions and support the clinical diagnosis of MM without pathognomonic lesions on conventional CT.

Key Points

• The retrospective study provides an automated approach for quantification of the non-fatty portion of bone marrow, based on AI-supported spine segmentation and virtual non-calcium dual-energy CT data.

• An increasing non-fatty portion of bone marrow is associated with a higher infiltration determined by invasive biopsy after adjusting for bone mineral density as a control variable (p = 0.007, r = 0.46).

• The non-fatty portion of bone marrow might support the clinical diagnosis of multiple myeloma when conventional CT images are negative (sensitivity 0.63, specificity 0.71).

Clinical significance of trabecular bone score for prediction of pathologic fracture risk in patients with multiple myeloma

Objectives

Osteolytic bone lesions are common complications in multiple myeloma (MM), and can have an impact on quality of life due to the risk of fractures. Trabecular bone score (TBS) is a novel texture index derived from dual energy x-ray absorptiometry (DXA) of lumbar spine (LS) images that provides information about bone microarchitecture. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether TBS is useful in predicting bone fractures in MM patients.

Methods

TBS was calculated retrospectively from existing DXA images of the LS, in 20 patients with newly diagnosed MM. We analyzed the development of fractures in these patients.

Results

The median age of the patients was 66 years (range, 49–77 years). Osteolytic bone lesions were observed in 18 patients (90%) at the time of diagnosis. The median duration of follow-up was 40.0 months (95% confidence interval [CI], 33.2–46.2), 6 fracture events (long-bone fractures in 5 events, vertebral fracture in 1) occurred in 5 patients (25%). There were no significant differences between patients who experienced new onset fractures and patients who did not for all TBSs and T-scores, although the fracture group had lower levels than the no fracture group. However, among TBSs of individual LSs, only L2 showed significantly lower scores in patients who developed fractures (1.135 ± 0.085 [95% CI, 1.030–1.241] vs. 1.243 ± 0.169 [95% CI, 1.149–1.336], P = 0.032).

Conclusions

TBS of the LS in MM patients may be helpful in predicting development of fractures; however, further investigation is needed.

Evaluation of the Relevance of Surgery in Patients with Multiple Myeloma Harboring Symptomatic Spinal Involvement: A Retrospective Case Series

BACKGROUND

Multiple myeloma spinal involvement can lead to bone fractures and neurologic impairment that can severely alter quality of life. The role of surgery is controversial, given its high morbidity, and the lack of evidence. We hereby aim to evaluate efficacy and safety of surgery in the management of symptomatic spinal lesions in patients with multiple myeloma.

METHODS

We included all patients operated on for a myeloma-related spinal lesion in our institution between 2007 and 2015. Demographic, clinical, and surgical data were collected as well as hematologic profiles. We retrospectively assessed the surgical success of the procedures, if at 3 months the patient fulfilled the following 4 criteria: pain relief, ability to walk, spinal stability, and no relevant morbidity.

RESULTS

Thirty-six men and 19 women, with a median age of 62 years, were included. Seventeen patients underwent an emergency intervention, whereas 38 patients underwent elective surgery. At 3 months, 88.2% and 96.1%, respectively, of patients experienced pain relief and were able to walk. Spinal stability was considered satisfactory for 94.1% of patients. We reported 8 major complications in 8 patients. Altogether, 34 patients (61.8%) fulfilled all criteria for surgical success. An International Staging System score of 1 and the absence of previous chemotherapy were significantly associated with surgical success.

CONCLUSIONS

Management of myeloma-related spine lesions requires a multidisciplinary approach. Surgery rapidly provides both decompression and stabilization. Using a strict patient-specific evaluation, we reported rewarding functional results, with acceptable morbidity. Surgery for multiple myeloma vertebral lesions seems to be a valuable option for carefully selected patients.

A role for bone turnover markers β-CrossLaps (CTX) and amino-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (PINP) as potential indicators for disease progression from MGUS to multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is characterized by bone lesions arising due to unbalanced bone remodeling. Changes in the bone formation marker amino-terminal propeptide of type I collagen (PINP) and the bone resorption marker β-CrossLaps (CTX) reflect physiologic bone turnover. Whether PINP and CTX have a role in disease progression from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) to MM is unknown. In this cross-sectional follow-up study, 241 patients with MM or MGUS were included. Serum levels of PINP and CTX were significantly higher in MM patients compared to MGUS. Moreover, increasing concentrations of PINP and CTX were observed in those MGUS patients progressing to MM, whereas PINP and CTX levels remained unchanged in MGUS patients with stable disease. In conclusion, these data indicate a potential role of PINP and CTX as biomarkers for the progression of MGUS to MM.

Bone disease in monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance: results from a screened population-based study

Previous studies have shown that individuals with monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) have an increased risk of fractures, although the underlying mechanisms remain unknown. Our aim was to analyze bone mineral density (BMD), bone volume, and risk of fractures among individuals with MGUS. We performed a screening using the Age, Gene/Environment Susceptibility (AGES)-Reykjavik Study cohort, consisting of 5764 elderly individuals, identifying 300 individuals with MGUS, and 275 with light-chain MGUS. Quantitative computerized tomography was performed in the lumbar spine and hip to evaluate BMD and bone geometry. Analysis of variance and the Tukey honest significance test were used to compare the groups. Hospital records were used to record fractures, with a mean follow-up of 6.9 years. Cox proportional hazard was used to compare fracture risk. No difference was found in BMD between subjects with MGUS and others in the spine (P = .34) or in total hip (P = .30). Individuals with MGUS had a significant increase in bone volume compared with others in the spine (P < .001) and total hip (P < .001). Overall, the risk of fractures was not significantly increased in individuals with MGUS (hazard ratio [HR], 1.19; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.94-1.50). Men with MGUS had a significantly increased fracture risk, compared with other men (HR, 1.46; 95% CI, 1.03-2.08). Our results show that although individuals with MGUS do not have decreased BMD, bone volume is increased, and MGUS men have a 50% increased fracture risk. These results indicate that bone disease and fractures in MGUS differ from processes known from osteoporosis.