title: Hypodiploidy is a major prognostic factor in multiple myeloma.
abstract: Conventional karyotypes performed before any treatment in 208 patients with multiple myeloma were reviewed by the Groupe Français de Cytogénétique Hématologique. A total of 138 patients displayed complex chromosomal abnormalities (CCAs). According to the chromosome number pattern, a first group of 75 patients had a hyperdiploid karyotype. A second group of 63 patients referred to as the hypodiploid group had either pseudodiploid, hypodiploid, or near-tetraploid karyotypes. Of 159 treated patients available for survival analysis, 116 had an abnormal karyotype. The comparison of overall survival (OS) between hyperdiploid and hypodiploid patients showed a highly significant difference (median OS 33.8 vs 12.6 months, respectively, P <.001). The presence of 14q32 rearrangements (36 of 116 patients) worsened the prognosis (median OS 17.6 vs 29.9 months, P <.02). The presence of chromosome 13q abnormalities (13qA, 63 patients) did not modify OS in CCA patients (median OS 20.6 vs 27.8 months, P <.59). However, taking into account the whole series including normal karyotypes, 13qA (63 of 159 patients) had a significant impact on OS (median 20.6 vs 37.1 months, P <.04). In the same way, the presence of a hypodiploid karyotype (52 of 159 patients) had a strong prognostic value (OS 12.8 vs 44.5 months, P <.000 01). A multivariate analysis including stage, beta2-microglobulin, bone marrow plasmocytosis, treatment type, 13qA, and hyperdiploidy and hypodiploidy showed that a hypodiploid karyotype was the first independent factor for OS (P <.001), followed by treatment approach. These results confirm that the chromosome number pattern of malignant plasma cells is a very powerful prognostic factor in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients.
authors.affiliation: Research Cytogenetic Laboratory, Hôpital Saint-Antoine, Paris, France.
authors.forename: N V
authors.initials: NV
authors.lastname: Smadja
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Bastard
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brigaudeau
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Leroux
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Fruchart
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002869:Chromosome Aberrations / Q000235:genetics*; D025063:Chromosome Disorders; D004171:Diploidy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007621:Karyotyping; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000235:genetics*; D011379:Prognosis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis