The Prognostic Utility of Serial MASS-FIX in Multiple Myeloma

Background:

MASS-FIX is a novel method for detection, characterization and quantification of serum and urine monoclonal proteins in multiple myeloma (MM) which uses immunoglobulin enrichment coupled with matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass-spectrometry (MALDI-TOF). MASS-FIX has been endorsed by the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) as an alternative to immunofixation electrophoresis for diagnosis and disease monitoring in MM and has replaced immunofixation electrophoresis in our institution. This technique has demonstrated superior sensitivity and specificity compared to conventional gel-based methods, but its prognostic value is still unknown. We designed this study to evaluate whether serum M protein monitoring by MASS-FIX has prognostic significance in predicting disease progression in patients with MM.

Methods:

In the first part of the study, we included patients with MM who had a documented negative MASSFIX after first-line treatment and had serial MASS-FIX data available (n=187). We then compared the time to next treatment (TTNT) between patients who became positive by MASS-FIX and those who remained negative by last follow up. In the second part, we included patients who were positive by MASS-FIX within 90 days from diagnosis and had available serial MASS-FIX data (n=203). We compared TTNT between patients who became negative by MASS-FIX and those who remained positive by last follow up. TTNT was defined as the time of initiation of the first-line treatment to the time of initiation of second-line treatment or last follow up.

Results:

Part 1: We included 155 patients diagnosed with MM between January 2013 and December 2019 who had a documented negative MASSFIX with first-line treatment and had serial MASSFIX data available. After a median follow up of 3.1 (95%CI: 2.6-3.5) years, 44 (28%) patients became MASSFIX positive, while 111 (72%) still had negative MASS-FIX. The median time from treatment start to negative MASSFIX was 18.0 (IQR: 6.4-33.5) months. The median TTNT was 4.1 (95%CI: 3.2 - NR) years in patients who became MASSFIX positive and not reached (NR) (95%CI: NR-NR) in patients who were MASS-FIX negative by last follow up (P<0.001). The 2-year OS was 97% and 100% in the 2 groups, respectively (P=0.27).

Part 2: We included 203 patients who had positive MASSFIX within 90 days from diagnosis and available serial MASSFIX data. The median follow-up was 1.5 (95%CI: 1.5-1.7) years. By last follow up, 39 (19%) patients became MASSFIX negative while 164 (81%) still had positive MASSFIX. The median TTNT was NR (95%CI: 2.0-NR) years in patients who developed negative MASSFIX and 2.3 (95%CI: 1.9 - NR) years in patients who were still MASS-FIX positive by last follow up (P=0.03). The 2-year OS was 97% and 94% in the 2 groups, respectively (P=0.84)

Conclusion:

The utilization of MASS-FIX in disease monitoring of MM patients provides prognostic information; among patients who become MASS-FIX negative after first line treatment, an earlier conversion to positive MASS-FIX predicts disease progression. Similarly, persistent MASS-FIX positivity after treatment initiation predicts earlier disease progression. Larger studies and longer follow up are needed to evaluate whether the MASS-FIX is associated with overall survival.