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MGUS and Genetic Risk-

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 “The increased risk of multiple myeloma (MM) in relatives of individuals with MGUS is consistent with MGUS being a marker of inherited genetic susceptibility to MM…”

You or a family-member has been diagnosed with MGUS aka monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined Significance. You may be wondering if MGUS “runs” in families. According to the two studies linked below, relatives of MGUS patients have a higher risk of being diagnosed with MGUS themselves.

The devil is in the detail as the saying goes.

Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance  or MGUS (pre-myeloma)  at a glance-

MGUS png Mind Map

When I was diagnosed with multiple myeloma (MM), I had no increased genetic risks such as a relative with Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undermined Significance  or MM but I did have HPV and I did work in a printing plant, both of which increase one’s risk of MM. Conventional therapies such as aggressive chemotherapy and an autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) did little for me other than give me short, long-term and late stage side effects.

My point is that being diagnosed with MM, to a large degree, is beyond our control. However, once someone is diagnosed with MGUS there are evidence-based, non-toxic therapies that research has shown can reduce the risk of a full-blown MM diagnosis.

If you do not want to “watch and wait” to see if your pre-MM progresses to Multiple Myeloma please watch the short video below:

Consider MGUS Therapies such as:

  1. non-toxic, cytotoxic/apoptotic supplements,
  2. foods that starve multiple myeloma
  3. evidence-based mind-body therapies,
  4. detoxification therapies,
  5. Non-conventional bone health therapies

David Emerson

  • MM Survivor
  • MM Cancer Coach
  • Director PeopleBeatingCancer

Recommended Reading:

Inherited genetic susceptibility to monoclonal gammopathy of unknown significance.

“Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance  is present in ∼2% of individuals age >50 years. The increased risk of multiple myeloma (MM) in relatives of individuals with MGUS is consistent with Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance being a marker of inherited genetic susceptibility to MM.

Common single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) at 2p23.3 (rs6746082), 3p22.1 (rs1052501), 3q26.2 (rs10936599), 6p21.33 (rs2285803), 7p15.3 (rs4487645), 17p11.2 (rs4273077), and 22q13.1 (rs877529) have recently been shown to influence MM risk.

To examine the impact of these 7 SNPs on Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance , we analyzed two case-control series totaling 492 cases and 7306 controls. Each SNP independently influenced Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance risk with statistically significant associations (P < .02) for rs1052501, rs2285803, rs4487645, and rs4273077. SNP associations were independent, with risk increasing with a larger number of risk alleles carried (per allele odds ratio, 1.18; P < 10(-7)). Collectively these data are consistent with a polygenic model of disease susceptibility to Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance .”

Familial monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and multiple myeloma: epidemiology, risk factors, and biological characteristics

“Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS), a precursor to multiple myeloma (MM), is one of the most common premalignant conditions in the general population. The cause of MGUS is largely unknown.

Recent studies show that there is an increased prevalence of MGUS in blood relatives of persons with lymphoproliferative and plasma cell proliferative disorders, suggesting presence of shared underlying genetic influences.

In the past few years, additional studies have examined risk factors and biologic characteristics that may contribute to the increased prevalence of MGUS among relatives of probands with MGUS, MM, and other blood malignancies…

The largest study to date that provided comparative data was an investigation of a Swedish population that examined the increased risk of both plasma cell and lymphoproliferative disorders among first-degree blood relatives of persons with and without MGUS.

This population-based investigation involved 14 621 relatives of 4458 patients with MGUS and found an increased risk of MGUS among relatives of probands, compared with 58 387 relatives of 17 505 controls without MGUS (relative risk [RR] = 2.8; 95% CI, 1.4-5.6). ..

A similar study was conducted at the Mayo Clinic to assess the prevalence of MGUS in first-degree blood relatives of MM and MGUS probands. Relatives of 232 MM and 97 MGUS probands were studied. Serum samples from 911 blood relatives were screened for MGUS with the use of electrophoresis and immunofixation.

MGUS was detected in 6% of relatives (age- and sex-adjusted prevalence of 8.1%; 95% CI, 6.3-9.8). With the use of the Olmsted County MGUS prevalence study as a reference, it was found that relatives had a higher prevalence of MGUS, with a risk ratio of 2.6 (95% CI, 1.9-3.4) compared with the general population.

This increased risk was seen both in relatives of MM probands (RR = 2.0; 95% CI, 1.4-2.8) and MGUS probands (RR = 3.3; 95% CI, 2.1-4.8)…

 

Leave a Comment:

5 comments
Non-Toxic Smoldering Multiple Myeloma (SMM) Therapies - PeopleBeatingCancer says 4 years ago

[…] MGUS and Genetic Risk of Progressing to Multiple Myeloma […]

Reply
Gillian Fontaine says 5 years ago

Hello I was diagnosed with MGUS , about a 1 year ago with light chains
As explained , I have about a 5 per cent chance of the condition progressing, as far as I am aware no-one else in the family has suffered from this, I am not keen at all to go on this ‘wait + watch ‘ thing , as I would not consider any treatment whatsoever, as I consider cancer treatment , barbaric to say the least , having seen what friends and family have gone thru , all not alive may I add
I have decided not to return for 6 monthly checks, but indeed to forget about it and carry on with life
I would be interested in possible foods that would hold the condition back and general tips on body maintenance
Very best wishes + thanks Gillian

Reply
    David Emerson says 5 years ago

    Hi Gillian,

    Several things. First and foremost, I am sorry to learn of your MGUS diagnosis. I and lots of other pre-MM patients agree with you- taking a “watch and wait” approach is difficult. Keep in mind that there are evidence-based non-toxic therapies that research has shown can reduce the risk of pre-MM progressing to full blown MM.

    Secondly, it is reasonable to believe that you can live with MGUS for years, even decades and not progress to cancer. Having your blood work aka blood tests done every six or 12 months simply gives you an idea of where you are physically. For example, I live with MM and the possibility of relapse. Having my blood checked annually helps me understand where I am. No, I don’t like living this way but I prefer knowing more not less.

    Lastly, after repeated requests like your I decided to create a program of non-toxic therapies for those diagnosed with pre-MM (MGUS, smoldering multiple myeloma, SMM or a single bone plasmacytoma SBP). The program is inexpensive and comes with a 30 day money back guarentee.

    I have linked both the webinar (that’s me…) and the online store- let me know if you have any questions.

    Pre-MM Basic, Premium, Guides-

    Free Pre-MM webinar (on the far right)

    Hang in there,

    David Emerson

    Reply
robin says 6 years ago

I was recently diagnosed with Non-IgM MGUS (IgG, IgA or IgD MGUS), although I have not received back my bone scans to see if I have lesions yet, but was told that this is the most common type of MGUS and has the “potential” to progress to multiple myeloma (1% each year as I get older). So I am 48 (as of 10/26), so I guess that means that when I am 58, I have a 10% change of progressing to mm, and so on? Now for reasons I will not overly explain here, I was always against marijuana, but now my independent research is showing that this may actually help me, I am intrigued. I have an appointment with my cancer doctor tomorrow for my bone scans and a 2nd opinion at Mayo on 11/27, but I really would like to bring this up to my doctors. Also, I initially went in because I thought I had RA because my bones hurt all the time. I want to try medical pot, but I don’t smoke at all so I would not want to ingest it this way. Also I live in Minnesota so I don’t think it is legal here or you have to have some other serious desease (I have not confirmed this yet). I would like feedback on this. From those with MGUS or MGUS that progressed to mm.

Reply
    David Emerson says 6 years ago

    Hi Robin-
    I am sorry to read of your MGUS diagnosis. Yes, MGUS, pre-MM blood disorder, and has a 1% annual risk of developing into frank MM. 48 or 49 (happy birthday BTW) is young. You are correct to think about the long-term picture.

    The Mayo Clinic or actually Dr. Robert Kyle, is the father of MGUS. Dr. Kyle sort of discovered it. I think he even came up with the name…I’m only trying to make the point that a second opinion at Mayo is a good idea. Your current Dr. should not dispute that.

    Your challenge is that Mayo will tell you that you have a blood disorder and there is nothing you can do/no therapies you can undergo. I know of other MGUS patients who disagree.

    Re medical marijuana aka CBD oil. You are correct in thinking that medical marijuana reduces pain. But it also has been shown to enhance bone mineral density. Smoking marijuana does not get enough cannabinoids into the blood to make a difference. CBD oil can.

    Further, there a several other evidence-based bone strengthening therapies as well as evidence-based, non-toxic therapies shown to reduce the risk of MGUS.

    My understanding is that medical marijuana is legal in Minnesota. Without further research I cannot say if/how/where you can obtain the right strain, percentage of cannabinoids vs. THC, etc. I don’t know if you need a doctor’s prescription to obtain CBD oil.

    To summarize this feedback. MGUS can be slowed or even reversed. Please go to Margaret’s Corner (Margaret is a blogger who has MGUS and has controlled it for more than 18 years. Please consider the pre-MM cancer coaching program.

    Let me know if you have any questions.

    David Emerson

    Reply
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