Clinical Characteristics and Prognosis of MAF Deletion in Chinese Patients with Multiple Myeloma

We analyzed the frequency, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of MAF deletion in Chinese patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The incidence rate of MAF deletion was 15.0% (30/200) in newly diagnosed patients and all of them had monoallelic of MAF deletion. Among all factors, we found that sex and lactate dehydrogenase were associated with MAF deletion. In an analysis of the overall survival rates of patients with MAF deletion who received bortezomib-based treatment, MAF deletion did not influence prognosis in patients with MM who were given a bortezomib-based chemotherapy regimen. Background: In this study, we analyzed the frequency, clinical characteristics, and prognosis of MAF deletion in Chinese patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Patients and Methods: Two hundred consecutive patients with newly diagnosed MM were analyzed. Patient samples were evaluated using a fluorescence in situ hybridization probe set, including 13q deletion, 17p deletion, and 1q21 gain, as well as immunoglobulin heavy chain gene (IgH) rearrangement, IgH/cyclin D1, IgH/fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3), and IgH/MAF. The frequency of MAF deletion and the clinical characteristics and overall survival of patients with MAF deletion were analyzed. Results: The incidence rate of MAF deletion was 15.0% (30/200) in newly diagnosed patients and all of them were monoallelic of MAF deletion. MAF deletion was associated with sex (P = .008), lactate dehydrogenase level (P = .026), 13q deletion (P = .028), FGFR3 deletion (P = .006), and IgH deletion (P = .018). Additionally, in an analysis of the overall survival rates of patients with MAF deletion who received a bortezomib-based regimen treatment, no significant differences were found in overall survival between positive and negative groups (P = .365). Conclusion: MAF deletion was more frequent than MAF translocation with IgH in patients with MM and was more commonly observed in women. Moreover, MAF deletion was often combined with 13q, FGFR3, and IgH deletion. MAF deletion did not influence prognosis in patients with MM who were given a bortezomib-based chemotherapy regimen.