Adipose tissue radiodensity: A new prognostic biomarker in patients with multiple myeloma

Abstract Objectives Standard prognostic markers based on individual characteristics of individuals with multiple myeloma (MM) remain scarce. Body-composition features have often been associated with survival outcomes in different cancers. However, the association of adipose tissue radiodensity with MM prognosis has not yet, to our knowledge, been explored. Methods Computed tomography at the third lumbar vertebra was used for body-composition analysis, including adipose tissue radiodensity, in 91 people with MM. Additionally, fludeoxyglucose F 18 (18F-FDG) positron emission tomography was used to assess adipose tissue 18F-FDG uptake. Proinflammatory cytokine and adipokine levels were measured. Results Event-free survival and overall survival were both shorter in participants with high subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) radiodensity. Those in the highest SAT radiodensity tertile had an independently higher risk for both overall survival (hazard ratio, 4.55; 95% confidence interval, 1.26–16.44; Ptrend = 0.036) and event-free survival (hazard ratio, 3.08; 95% confidence interval, 1.02–9.27; Ptrend = 0.035). Importantly, higher SAT radiodensity was significantly correlated with increased 18F-FDG adipose tissue uptake and proinflammatory cytokine (tumor necrosis factor and interleukin-6) levels, and with decreased leptin levels. Conclusions SAT radiodensity may serve as a biomarker to predict host-related metabolic and proinflammatory milieu, which ultimately correlates with MM prognosis.