Patient selection: myeloma undergoing 4 chemotherapy cycles
Parameters:
(1) serum monoclonal protein concentration prior to therapy
(2) serum monoclonal protein concentration after the first cycle
(3) serum monoclonal protein concentration after the second cycle
(4) serum monoclonal protein concentration after the third cycle
(5) serum monoclonal protein concentration after the fourth cycle
residual M protein after the first cycle as percent of baseline =
= (M protein concentration after the first cycle) / (baseline M protein) * 100%
residual M protein after the fourth cycle as percent of baseline =
= (M protein concentration after the fourth cycle) / (baseline M protein) * 100%
average residual M-protein reduction =
= (residual M protein after the first cycle) – (residual M protein after the fourth)) / 3
Interpretation:
• The lower the residual M protein after chemotherapy the better for the patient.
• Higher levels of residual monoclonal proteins are associated with disease progression and early death.
