(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 m(2). (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