The role of soluble B cell maturation antigen as a biomarker in multiple myeloma

Abstract

Currently used stratification models in myeloma precursor disease as well as staging systems and response criteria in myeloma have limitations including failure to identify functionally high-risk myeloma patients. B-cell maturation antigen, a transmembrane glycoprotein required for long-lived plasma cells, is specific and expressed by myeloma cells. When it sheds from the surface of myeloma cells it can be measured in the blood as serum (sBCMA) and correlated with clinical outcomes in myeloma precursor disease as well as in active myeloma. We performed a literature review using PubMed and found 825 articles since 1992 of which any articles related to sBCMA were reviewed. These studies show the potential of sBCMA to become an important biomarker in myeloma. Here, we describe the potential advantages of sBCMA in the biology, diagnosis, prognosis, and surveillance of myeloma, while also reviewing the challenges that lie ahead before it can be implemented as a clinical tool.

Keywords:

• sBCMA
• biomarker
• multiple myeloma
• BCMA-directed therapy

Disclosure statement

M. Alomari and C. Kunacheewa report no conflicts of interest. E. Manasanch has received research support from Sanofi, Quest Diagnostics, Novartis, JW Pharma, Merck, GSK; consultant fees from Takeda, BMS, GSK, Sanofi, and Adaptive Biotechnologies, Janssen.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported in part by The MD Anderson Cancer Center Support Grant (P30 CA016672), the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society Specialized Center of Research (LLS SCOR), the Dr. Miriam and Sheldon G. Adelson Medical Research Foundation, the Paula and Rodger Riney Foundation, and the University of Texas MD Anderson Moon Shot Program.