Chromosome 1p21 deletion is a novel prognostic marker in patients with multiple myeloma

The combination of fluorescence in situ hybridization with cytoplasmic light chain detection identified chromosome 1p21 deletion in 18 (20%) of 87 patients with multiple myeloma. 1p21 deletion was associated with higher serum calcium level, 13q deletion, and t(4;14). Patients with 1p21 deletions had a significantly shorter progression-free survival (PFS) (median 10.5 vs. 22.3 months, P = 0.0002) and shorter overall survival (OS) (median 33.9 months vs. not reached, P = 0.002) than those without 1p21 deletions. On multivariate analysis, which included deletions of 13q, TP53, t(4;14) and CKS1B amplification, 1p21 deletion remained as an independent risk factor for PFS (P = 0.01) and OS (P = 0.04).