Cholesterol Levels Provide Prognostic Information in Patients with Multiple Myeloma

BACKGROUND Hypocholesterolemia has been reported to be associated with cancer risk and progression. The aim of this retrospective study was to investigate the prognostic value of cholesterol levels in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS A total of 153 patients newly diagnosed with MM were retrospectively enrolled. The relationship between cholesterol levels and clinical characteristics was evaluated. The prognostic value of cholesterol levels was explored. RESULTS The levels of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-c), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-c), and triglycerides (TC) were significantly lower in MM patients (p < 0.001). What is more, multivariate analyses showed that low TC and LDL-c levels were independent predictors of a better OS (overall survival; HR = 6.893 and 0.204; CI = 1.135 - 41.868 and 0.045 - 0.930, p = 0.036 and 0.040) and PFS (progression-free survival; HR = 7.416 and 0.216; CI = 1.365 - 40.290 and 0.047 - 0.999, p = 0.020 and 0.049). CONCLUSIONS Serum cholesterol levels in MM patients were low, and TC and LDL-c levels could be used as prognostic markers for MM patients.