Short or long survival in multiple myeloma. A simple method for determining the prognosis.

Finding prognostic factors in multiple myeloma is a real challenge. Several attempts might be found in the literature for that purpose but the results are not satisfactory. Therefore, in the current retorpective study authors analyzed the potential prognostic value of some laboratory data in 104 patients with multiple myeloma. They found the albumin and M-component ratio being lower than 1 and the initial WBC <4,5 x 10(9)/l correlated strongly with poor prognosis. In addition the low albumin level was not related to albuminuria and that the low WBC was not linked to bone marrow infiltration rate or to antineutrophil antibody formation. On the basis of their experiences authors created an AMWBC score containing A/M and WBC at diagnosis found to be in good correlation to prognosis. Further studies involving more patients are needed to verify the real prognostic value of AMWBC score in multiple myeloma treated with new targeted therapies.