IMPeTUs parameters correlate with clinical features in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

Abstract Background To investigate the correlations between IMPeTUs-based 18F-FDG PET/CT parameters and clinical features in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). 18F-FDG PET/CT in newly diagnosed MM patients were retrospectively analysed according to the IMPeTUs criteria. We correlated these PET/CT parameters with known clinically relevant features, bone marrow plasma cell infiltration rate (BMPC) and the presence of cytogenetic abnormalities. Results A total of 108 patients (64 males, 44 females; mean age, 59.7 ± 9.7 years; range, 34–83 years) with newly diagnosed MM who had undergone 18F-FDG PET/CT at our hospital were included in this study. Bone marrow metabolic state correlated with the most clinical features including FLC ratio (p = 0.036), involved FLC (p = 0.03), β2M (p = 0.001), calcium (p = 0.014), creatinine (p < 0.001), cytogenetic abnormalities (p = 0.033), and showed a positive correlation with ISS III (p = 0.002) and R-ISS III (p = 0.003). Importantly, there was no significant correlation between BM metabolic state and the level of BMPC (p = 0.102). Hypermetabolism in limbs and ribs conformed a positive correlation with the levels of β2M (p = 0.046), calcium (p = 0.044), and R-ISS (p = 0.01). Metabolic activity of the hottest lesion = 5 correlated with higher level of CRP (p = 0.038) and higher incidence of DS III (p = 0.006). Conclusions Several IMPeTUs-based PET/CT parameters showed significant correlations with clinical features reflecting disease burden and biology, suggesting that this new criteria can be used in the risk stratification in MM patients.