Immunoglobulin G (IgG) Subtype Is Associated with a Favorable Survival Prognosis in Patients Irradiated for Spinal Cord Compression from Myeloma

AIM: This study was performed to investigate the prognostic impact of the myeloma subtype on the survival prognosis of patients with spinal cord compression (SCC) from myeloma.

PATIENTS AND METHODS: In 238 patients irradiated for SCC from myeloma, the myeloma subtype and 10 additional characteristics were evaluated for survival. These characteristics were fractionation of radiotherapy, age, time from myeloma diagnosis to SCC, presence of extra-osseous lesions, additional osseous lesions, gender, time to developing motor weakness, ability to walk, number of vertebrae affected by SCC and performance status.

RESULTS: Immunoglobulin G subtype was associated with significantly better survival than other subtypes both at 1 year (80% vs. 50%) and at 2 years (56% vs. 30%) following radiotherapy of SCC (p<0.001). In the subsequent Cox regression analysis, myeloma subtype maintained significance (risk ratio=2.44; 95% confidence interval=1.56-3.85; p<0.001).

CONCLUSION: This study identified myeloma subtype as being an independent prognostic factor of survival in patients with SCC from myeloma.