Serum calcium is an independent prognostic factor of overall survival in Mexican patients with multiple myeloma

Objective. To evaluate the impact of different prognostic factors that has been suggested to be useful in predicting the survival of patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Materials and methods. A longitudinal prospective study was conducted on 24 adult Mexican patients diagnosed with primary MM. The levels of expression of CD38, CD138 and cyclin D1 were analyzed in plasma cells (PCs) from patients and mononuclear cells from healthy donors. Serum levels of lactate dehydrogenase, creatinine, calcium, beta(2) microglobulin and interleukin-6 (IL-6) as well as hemoglobin and platelet count were taken into consideration. Results. CD138 and cyclin D1 levels in absolute numbers were significantly overexpressed in malignant PCs. A positive correlation was noted between cyclin D1 and CD38 expression levels in malignant PCs. IL-6 and serum calcium were also positively correlated in MM patients. Cyclin D1 overexpression was not associated with better overall survival (OS). Normal calcium levels were associated with better overall survival (OS). Serum calcium was the only variable correlating with better OS in Cox regression analysis. Conclusion. Serum calcium is an independent prognostic factor of OS in a population of Mexican patients with MM.