Circulating Soluble Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator Receptor Levels Reflect Renal Function in Newly Diagnosed Patients with Multiple Myeloma Treated with Bortezomib-Based Induction

Abstract

(1) Background: Soluble urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (suPAR) has been implicated in the pathogenesis of kidney disease in different disease settings. The aim of this study was to investigate a possible link between suPAR circulating levels and renal impairment (RI) in newly diagnosed patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma (NDMM) before and after frontline therapy with bortezomib-based regimens. (2) Methods: We studied 47 NDMM patients (57% males, median age 69.5 years) before the administration of anti-myeloma treatment and at best response to bortezomib-based therapy. suPAR was measured in the serum of all patients and of 24 healthy matched controls, using an immuno-enzymatic assay (ViroGates, Denmark). (3) Results: suPAR levels were elevated in NDMM patients at diagnosis compared to healthy individuals (p < 0.001). suPAR levels strongly correlated with disease stage (p-ANOVA < 0.001). suPAR levels both at diagnosis and at best response negatively correlated with estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) values (p < 0.001). Interestingly, no significance changes in suPAR levels were observed at best response compared to baseline values (p = 0.31) among 18 responding patients with baseline eGFR < 50 mL/min/1.73 m2. (4) Conclusions: SuPAR levels reflect renal function in NDMM patients treated with bortezomib-based induction. Responders may have elevated circulating suPAR levels, possibly reflecting persistent kidney damage, despite their renal response.