Enhanced dynamic risk stratification of smoldering multiple myeloma

Accurate prediction of risk of progression from smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) to active multiple myeloma (MM) is paramount to individualized early therapeutic strategies with minimum risk of overtreatment. Current risk stratification models do not account for evolving biomarker trajectories. We assembled a cohort of 2,344 patients with SMM from seven international centers with longitudinal clinical and biological data to train and validate the Precursor Asymptomatic Neoplasms by Group Effort Analysis (PANGEA)-SMM risk models. Four evolving biomarkers were significantly associated with shorter time to progression: M-protein increase ≥0.2 g dl<sup>-1</sup>, involved/uninvolved serum free light chain ratio increase ≥20, creatinine increase >25% and hemoglobin decrease ≥1.5 g dl<sup>-1</sup>. PANGEA-SMM outperforms established models, including the 20/2/20 and IMWG models, by more accurately predicting progression (C-statistic = 0.79), even without biomarker history (C-statistic = 0.78) or recent bone marrow biopsy (C-statistic = 0.78). We present PANGEA-SMM to the community as an easy-to-use, open-access tool for risk stratification in SMM. Validation tools are available to compare PANGEA-SMM to established models.

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Publication Details

Journal
Nature Medicine
Published
2026-03-24
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1038/s41591-026-04304-x
Primary Topic
Multiple Myeloma Research and Treatments
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
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article

Enhanced dynamic risk stratification of smoldering multiple myeloma

Nature Medicine
Multiple Myeloma Research and Treatments
article

Enhanced dynamic risk stratification of smoldering multiple myeloma

article en

Abstract

Accurate prediction of risk of progression from smoldering multiple myeloma (SMM) to active multiple myeloma (MM) is paramount to individualized early therapeutic strategies with minimum risk of overtreatment. Current risk stratification models do not account for evolving biomarker trajectories. We assembled a cohort of 2,344 patients with SMM from seven international centers with longitudinal clinical and biological data to train and validate the Precursor Asymptomatic Neoplasms by Group Effort Analysis (PANGEA)-SMM risk models. Four evolving biomarkers were significantly associated with shorter time to progression: M-protein increase ≥0.2 g dl<sup>-1</sup>, involved/uninvolved serum free light chain ratio increase ≥20, creatinine increase >25% and hemoglobin decrease ≥1.5 g dl<sup>-1</sup>. PANGEA-SMM outperforms established models, including the 20/2/20 and IMWG models, by more accurately predicting progression (C-statistic = 0.79), even without biomarker history (C-statistic = 0.78) or recent bone marrow biopsy (C-statistic = 0.78). We present PANGEA-SMM to the community as an easy-to-use, open-access tool for risk stratification in SMM. Validation tools are available to compare PANGEA-SMM to established models.

Nature Medicine
Broad Institute (US), Harvard University (US), German Cancer Research Center (DE), Universidad de Salamanca (ES), University of Milan (IT), Korea University (KR), National and Kapodistrian University of Athens (GR), Heidelberg University (DE), Somerville Hospital (US), University Hospital Heidelberg (DE), Fondazione IRCCS Ca' Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico (IT), Yale University (US), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (US), Mayo Clinic in Arizona (US), Universitätsklinikum Würzburg (DE), Instituto de Investigación Biomédica de Salamanca (ES), Dana-Farber/Harvard Cancer Center (US), Clinica Universidad de Navarra (ES), Centro de Investigación del Cáncer (ES), Mayo Clinic in Florida (US), University College London (GB), Université d'Angers (FR), Sapienza University of Rome (IT)
Openalex Percentile: Top 11%
Multiple Myeloma Research and Treatments
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