The Relationship between Changes in Serum Element Concentrations and Pathological Condition and Disease Status in Japanese Multiple Myeloma Patients: A Pilot Study and Literature Review

BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a rare cancer, and information on its pathological condition and serum element levels is lacking. In this pilot study, we examined serum element concentrations in Japanese patients with MM by a comprehensive multi-element analysis. METHODS: This is a case-control study of 12 Japanese patients diagnosed with MM at the Nagoya City University Hospital between 2008 and 2013. Blood samples were taken, at the initial diagnosis and at relapse. The serum concentrations of 12 elements were analyzed by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry and compared between MM patients and non-MM volunteers. We also analyzed the correlation between serum element concentrations and laboratory values related to disease status and tumor volume of MM. RESULTS: We found that serum chromium (Cr), copper (Cu), molybdenum (Mo), and barium (Ba) concentrations were significantly increased in MM patients. Ba was significantly increased in MM patients, suggesting an association with bone lesions. There was no consistent trend between these elements and existing indices related to MM tumor volume and disease status. CONCLUSIONS: Although this is a pilot study, serum Cr, Cu, Mo, and Ba concentrations were found to be significantly elevated in MM patients. Further studies with large sample sizes are needed, since the changes in serum concentrations of these elements may reflect the pathological condition of MM.