A recent cohort study has highlighted the importance of maintaining a healthy weight in reducing the risk of progression from monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) to multiple myeloma (MM). The study, which included 22,429 MGUS patients from the US Veterans Health Administration database, found that for individuals with a BMI in the normal range (18.5 to less than 25) at the time of diagnosis, each 1-unit increase in excess BMI per year was associated with a 21% higher risk of developing MM.
Patients with a BMI of 25 to less than 30 or 30 or greater at the time of MGUS diagnosis also faced a higher risk of progression to MM. Specifically, those with a BMI of 25-30 had a 17% increased risk, while those with a BMI of 30 or higher had a 27% increased risk. However, the study revealed that for patients already overweight or obese at diagnosis, further weight gain did not significantly increase their risk of progression.
The findings suggest that for those with a healthy weight at diagnosis, preventing weight gain in the years following MGUS diagnosis may help reduce the risk of progression to MM. This research emphasizes the need for weight management as part of a comprehensive approach to preventing cancer progression.
Helena Bradbury, EMJ
Reference
Liu L et al. Cumulative excess body mass index and MGUS progression to myeloma. JAMA Netw Open. 2025;8(2):e2458585.
