The Development and Pilot Testing of a New MR Imaging Protocol to Quantify Myeloma Disease Burden and Bone Loss (LOOMIS)

July 31, 2025 updated by: Karthik Ramasamy, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust

The Development and Pilot Testing of a New Magnetic Resonance (MR) Imaging Protocol to Quantify Both Myeloma Disease Burden and Associated Bone Loss

In the proposed study, the investigators will aim to develop and pilot a Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging protocol and assess its ability to achieve the following: quantification of tumour burden and bone loss, detecting longitudinal changes in tumour load with therapy and detecting longitudinal changes in microarchitecture with therapy. The investigators also aim to investigate whether bone loss is better, worse or the same with different imaging techniques. This will be investigated by correlating the DXA imaging data with Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DWMRI) to see if it is possible to achieve quantifiable data of bone density.

Study Overview

Detailed Description

In the proposed study, the investigators will aim to develop and pilot a Magnetic Resonance (MR) imaging protocol and assess its ability to achieve the following: quantification of tumour burden and bone loss, detecting longitudinal changes in tumour load with therapy and detecting longitudinal changes in microarchitecture with therapy. The investigators also aim to investigate whether bone loss is better, worse or the same with different imaging techniques. This will be investigated by correlating the DXA imaging data with Diffusion-Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DWMRI) to see if it is possible to achieve quantifiable data of bone density.

Using the expertise of the Oxford Centre For Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research (OCMR) for imaging protocol development, and the new Fine Structural Analysis (FSA, Osteotronix Ltd, formerly Acuitas Medical) bone density quantification MRI method (Rafferty et al 2016), the investigators will test a single protocol which combines three emerging experimental imaging sequences into a simple, non-invasive whole body imaging protocol to quantify disease burden and bone disease. This has never been done before; if shown to be feasible, such a method would have two important applications: to precisely guide commissioned therapies in the clinic, so improving patient management; and as an exciting, novel research tool for the longitudinal combined assessment of tumour burden and cancer-induced bone disease in response to therapy.

The investigators hypothesize that this imaging tool will be superior to the combined current standard-of-care investigations in the quantification of tumour burden and bone loss. There are currently no tools available for quantifying structural changes to bone and overall bone loss in myeloma.

Study Type

Observational

Enrollment (Actual)

67

Contacts and Locations

This section provides the contact details for those conducting the study, and information on where this study is being conducted.

Study Locations

    • Oxfordshire
      • Oxford, Oxfordshire, United Kingdom, OX3 7LE
        • Churchill Hospital

Participation Criteria

Researchers look for people who fit a certain description, called eligibility criteria. Some examples of these criteria are a person's general health condition or prior treatments.

Eligibility Criteria

Ages Eligible for Study

18 years to 99 years (Adult, Older Adult)

Accepts Healthy Volunteers

Yes

Sampling Method

Non-Probability Sample

Study Population

Participants in Groups 1 & 2 will be recruited via the Haematology Outpatients clinic in Churchill Hospital.

Group 3 participants will be recruited from the community

Description

Inclusion Criteria (All Groups):

  • Participant is able to and willing to give informed consent for participation in the study.
  • Male or Female, aged 18 years or above.

Inclusion Criteria (Groups 1 and 2):

  • Newly diagnosed myeloma or newly relapsed myeloma eligible for next therapy.
  • Smouldering myeloma or intermediate or high risk MGUS.
  • Patients attending Oxford NHS Haematology-Oncology centre.
  • Diagnoses of MGUS, Smouldering Myeloma and MM made in accordance with the clinical diagnostic criteria set forth by IMWG (International Myeloma Working Group).

Exclusion Criteria (All Groups):

  • Those who are unable or unwilling to give informed consent.
  • Women who may be pregnant, breast feeding or women of child-bearing potential who are unwilling or unable to take sufficient precautionary measures will be excluded due to DXA imaging.

Exclusion Criteria (Groups 1 and 2):

  • Signs of Spinal Cord Compression.
  • Patients with documented metastatic lesions from another type of malignancy.
  • Known contraindication for a MRI scan, including unacceptable pain on lying flat for 1 hour.

Study Plan

This section provides details of the study plan, including how the study is designed and what the study is measuring.

How is the study designed?

Design Details

  • Observational Models: Case-Control
  • Time Perspectives: Prospective

Cohorts and Interventions

Group / Cohort
Intervention / Treatment
Group 1- Myeloma

Participants will be recruited at the point of either diagnosis or relapse. Any standard investigations that the clinician deems necessary will be carried out. Following recruitment, participants will undergo the first study appointment, the experimental combined MR imaging protocol, the DXA imaging scan and the bone biomarker blood and urine tests.

This will be repeated at 6 months.

Using the expertise of the Oxford Centre For Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research (OCMR) for imaging protocol development, and the new Fine Structural Analysis (FSA, Osteotronix Ltd, formerly Acuitas Medical) bone density quantification MRI method (Rafferty et al 2016), we will test a single protocol which combines three emerging experimental imaging sequences into a simple, non-invasive whole body imaging protocol to quantify disease burden and bone disease. To our knowledge, this has never been done before; if shown to be feasible, such a method would have two important applications: to precisely guide commissioned therapies in the clinic, so improving patient management; and as an exciting, novel research tool for the longitudinal combined assessment of tumour burden and cancer-induced bone disease in response to therapy.
Used to assess bone density
Samples will be taken to assess bone biomarkers
Group 2- MGUS

Participants will be recruited at the point of either diagnosis or relapse. Any standard investigations that the clinician deems necessary will be carried out. Following recruitment, participants will undergo the first study appointment, the experimental combined MR imaging protocol, the DXA imaging scan and the bone biomarker blood and urine tests.

This will be repeated at 6 months.

Using the expertise of the Oxford Centre For Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research (OCMR) for imaging protocol development, and the new Fine Structural Analysis (FSA, Osteotronix Ltd, formerly Acuitas Medical) bone density quantification MRI method (Rafferty et al 2016), we will test a single protocol which combines three emerging experimental imaging sequences into a simple, non-invasive whole body imaging protocol to quantify disease burden and bone disease. To our knowledge, this has never been done before; if shown to be feasible, such a method would have two important applications: to precisely guide commissioned therapies in the clinic, so improving patient management; and as an exciting, novel research tool for the longitudinal combined assessment of tumour burden and cancer-induced bone disease in response to therapy.
Used to assess bone density
Samples will be taken to assess bone biomarkers
Group 3- Healthy Volunteers
Participants will have the experimental combined MR imaging.
Using the expertise of the Oxford Centre For Clinical Magnetic Resonance Research (OCMR) for imaging protocol development, and the new Fine Structural Analysis (FSA, Osteotronix Ltd, formerly Acuitas Medical) bone density quantification MRI method (Rafferty et al 2016), we will test a single protocol which combines three emerging experimental imaging sequences into a simple, non-invasive whole body imaging protocol to quantify disease burden and bone disease. To our knowledge, this has never been done before; if shown to be feasible, such a method would have two important applications: to precisely guide commissioned therapies in the clinic, so improving patient management; and as an exciting, novel research tool for the longitudinal combined assessment of tumour burden and cancer-induced bone disease in response to therapy.

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Primary Outcome 1: Quantifying Tumour Burden [Correlations With Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) Measurements]
Time Frame: At baseline

Primary Objective 1: To assess whether the novel magnetic resonance (MR) protocol and exploratory bone biomarkers can improve quantification of tumour burden in patients with new or relapsed myeloma at baseline assessment, compared to paraprotein levels alone.

This particular section analysed the correlation between the Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) measurements (from the Diffusion Weighted Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DW-MRI) component of the sequences) of lytic bone lesions, with standard clinical correlates of tumour burden (serum paraprotein, and serum paraprotein-associated immunoglobulin level).

The measurement of ADC from DW-MRI is further described by Messiou et. al. [1]

[1] Messiou, Christina, et al. "Guidelines for acquisition, interpretation, and reporting of whole-body MRI in myeloma: myeloma response assessment and diagnosis system (MY-RADS)." Radiology 291.1 (2019): 5-13.

At baseline
Primary Outcome 1: Quantifying Tumour Burden [Correlations With Myeloma Response Assessment and Diagnosis System (MY-RADS) Pattern of Disease]
Time Frame: At baseline

Primary Objective 1: To assess whether the novel MR protocol and exploratory bone biomarkers can improve quantification of tumour burden in patients with new or relapsed myeloma at baseline assessment, compared to paraprotein levels alone.

Participants' baseline novel MR scan was analysed by an expert radiologist, and pattern of disease was qualitatively classified using the MY-RADS (Myeloma Response Assessment and Diagnosis System) imaging recommendations, described in Figure 2 by Messiou et. al. [1].

This particular section analysed whether standard clinical correlate of tumour burden (serum paraprotein) differed by radiological pattern of disease (e.g., normal, focal, diffuse).

[1] Messiou, Christina, et al. "Guidelines for acquisition, interpretation, and reporting of whole-body MRI in myeloma: myeloma response assessment and diagnosis system (MY-RADS)." Radiology 291.1 (2019): 5-13.

At baseline
Primary Outcome 1: Quantifying Tumour Burden (Correlations With Bone Turnover Markers)
Time Frame: At baseline

Primary Objective 1: To assess whether the novel Magnetic Resonance (MR) protocol and exploratory bone biomarkers can improve quantification of tumour burden in patients with new or relapsed myeloma at baseline assessment, compared to paraprotein levels alone.

This section examined correlation between baseline bone biomarkers and baseline serum paraprotein in a pooled cohort of patients from Groups 1 and 2, using Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficients.

At baseline
Primary Outcome 2: Quantifying Bone Loss - Inter-Group Differences in Baseline Serum P1NP (Procollagen Type 1 N-terminal Propeptide)
Time Frame: At baseline

Primary Outcome 2: To assess whether the novel magnetic resonance (MR) protocol and exploratory bone turnover markers can improve quantification of bone loss in patients with myeloma (new, relapsed, smouldering) and Monoclonal Gammopathy Of Uncertain Significance (MGUS) at baseline assessment, compared to Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and established bone turnover markers alone.

This particular section analysed the inter-group difference in baseline serum P1NP (Procollagen Type 1 N-terminal Propeptide) bone turnover marker levels, in patients from Groups 1a (new myeloma), 1b (relapsed myeloma), 1c (smouldering myeloma) and 2 (MGUS).

At baseline
Primary Outcome 2: Quantifying Bone Loss - Inter-Group Differences in Baseline Serum CTX-1 (Collagen Cross-Linked C-Telopeptide Type I)
Time Frame: At baseline

Primary Outcome 2: To assess whether the novel magnetic resonance (MR) protocol and exploratory bone turnover markers can improve quantification of bone loss in patients with myeloma (new, relapsed, smouldering) and Monoclonal Gammopathy Of Uncertain Significance (MGUS) at baseline assessment, compared to Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and established bone turnover markers alone.

This particular section analysed the inter-group difference in baseline serum CTX-1 (Collagen Cross-Linked C-Telopeptide Type I) bone turnover marker levels, in patients from Groups 1a (new myeloma), 1b (relapsed myeloma), 1c (smouldering myeloma) and 2 (MGUS).

At baseline
Primary Outcome 2: Quantifying Bone Loss - Inter-Group Differences in Baseline Serum ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase)
Time Frame: At baseline

Primary Outcome 2: To assess whether the novel magnetic resonance (MR) protocol and exploratory bone turnover markers can improve quantification of bone loss in patients with myeloma (new, relapsed, smouldering) and Monoclonal Gammopathy Of Uncertain Significance (MGUS) at baseline assessment, compared to Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and established bone turnover markers alone.

This particular section analysed the inter-group difference in baseline serum ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase) bone turnover marker levels, in patients from Groups 1a (new myeloma), 1b (relapsed myeloma), 1c (smouldering myeloma) and 2 (MGUS).

At baseline
Primary Outcome 2: Quantifying Bone Loss - Inter-Group Differences in Baseline Serum DKK1 (Dickkopf WNT Signaling Pathway Inhibitor 1)
Time Frame: At baseline

Primary Outcome 2: To assess whether the novel magnetic resonance (MR) protocol and exploratory bone turnover markers can improve quantification of bone loss in patients with myeloma (new, relapsed, smouldering) and Monoclonal Gammopathy Of Uncertain Significance (MGUS) at baseline assessment, compared to Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and established bone turnover markers alone.

This particular section analysed the inter-group difference in baseline serum DKK1 (Dickkopf WNT Signaling Pathway Inhibitor 1) bone turnover marker levels, in patients from Groups 1a (new myeloma), 1b (relapsed myeloma), 1c (smouldering myeloma) and 2 (MGUS).

At baseline
Primary Outcome 2: Quantifying Bone Loss - Inter-Group Differences in Baseline Serum Sclerostin
Time Frame: At baseline

Primary Outcome 2: To assess whether the novel magnetic resonance (MR) protocol and exploratory bone turnover markers can improve quantification of bone loss in patients with myeloma (new, relapsed, smouldering) and Monoclonal Gammopathy Of Uncertain Significance (MGUS) at baseline assessment, compared to Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and established bone turnover markers alone.

This particular section analysed the inter-group difference in baseline serum sclerostin bone turnover marker levels, in patients from Groups 1a (new myeloma), 1b (relapsed myeloma), 1c (smouldering myeloma) and 2 (MGUS).

At baseline
Primary Outcome 2: Quantifying Bone Loss - Inter-Group Differences in Baseline Serum Ratio of RANKL (Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa-Β Ligand) and OPG (Osteoprotegerin)
Time Frame: At baseline

Primary Outcome 2: To assess whether the novel magnetic resonance (MR) protocol and exploratory bone turnover markers can improve quantification of bone loss in patients with myeloma (new, relapsed, smouldering) and Monoclonal Gammopathy Of Uncertain Significance (MGUS) at baseline assessment, compared to Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and established bone turnover markers alone.

This particular section analysed the inter-group difference in baseline ratio between RANKL (Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa-Β Ligand) and OPG (Osteoprotegerin) [calculated as RANKL (pg/L) divided by OPG (pg/L)] bone turnover marker levels, in patients from Groups 1a (new myeloma), 1b (relapsed myeloma), 1c (smouldering myeloma) and 2 (MGUS).

At baseline
Primary Outcome 2: Quantifying Bone Loss (Inter-Biomarker Correlations)
Time Frame: At baseline

Primary Outcome 2: To assess whether the novel magnetic resonance (MR) protocol and exploratory bone turnover markers can improve quantification of bone loss in patients with myeloma (new, relapsed, smouldering) and Monoclonal Gammopathy Of Uncertain Significance (MGUS) at baseline assessment, compared to Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and established bone turnover markers alone.

In this particular section, Spearman's rank correlation coefficient was performed to assess correlations between all pairs of bone turnover markers, measured at baseline in a pooled cohort of participants from Groups 1 and 2:

  1. P1NP (Procollagen Type 1 N-terminal Propeptide);
  2. CTX-1 (Collagen Cross-Linked C-Telopeptide Type I);
  3. ALP (Alkaline Phosphatase);
  4. DKK1 (Dickkopf WNT Signaling Pathway Inhibitor 1);
  5. Sclerostin;
  6. Ratio of RANKL (Receptor Activator of Nuclear Factor Kappa-Β Ligand) to OPG (Osteoprotegerin).
At baseline
Primary Outcome 2: Quantifying Bone Loss [Correlations Between Bone Turnover Markers, DXA (Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry) and ADC (Apparent Diffusion Coefficient)]
Time Frame: At baseline

Primary Outcome 2: To assess whether the novel magnetic resonance (MR) protocol and exploratory bone turnover markers can improve quantification of bone loss in patients with myeloma (new, relapsed, smouldering) and Monoclonal Gammopathy Of Uncertain Significance (MGUS) at baseline assessment, compared to Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and established bone turnover markers alone.

In this particular section, in a pooled cohort of participants from Groups 1 and 2, Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were calculated between all baseline bone turnover biomarkers and:

  1. Baseline novel MR Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) measurements;
  2. Baseline DXA (Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry) BMD (Bone Mineral Density) at lumbar spine (L1-4);

2) Baseline DXA (Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry) BMD (Bone Mineral Density) at femoral neck.

At baseline
Primary Outcome 1+2: Quantifying Tumour Burden (Total Spinal 'Hole' Volume)
Time Frame: At baseline
  • This was intended as a novel end-point produced by OCMR scientists, in which high-resolution 3D imaging of the spine and pelvis are analysed for lytic lesions (holes).
  • Unfortunately, we were unable to collect data for the total spinal hole volume and total spine collapse volume at the point of novel MR scan, due to technical challenges.
At baseline
Primary Outcome 1+2: Quantifying Tumour Burden (Total Spinal 'Collapse' Volume)
Time Frame: At baseline
  • This was intended as a novel end-point produced by OCMR scientists, in which high-resolution 3D imaging of the spine and pelvis are analysed for the extent of vertebral collapse.
  • Unfortunately, we were unable to collect data for the total spinal hole volume and total spine collapse volume at the point of novel magnetic resonance (MR) scan, due to technical challenges.
At baseline
Primary Outcome 1+2: Quantifying Tumour Burden [Osteotronix Fine Structural Analysis (FSA), Trabecular Wall Thickness]
Time Frame: At baseline
  • Osteotronix' fineSA® (Fine Structural Analysis, FSA) technology extracts microstructural information from Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) data sets, as a correlate of trabecular wall thickness, to indicate bone remodelling. The FSA metric has been shown to correlate tightly with gold standard bone density measurements in rats [Evans et al, 2014] and human cadaveric spine specimens [Rafferty et al, 2016].
  • In this study, we had collected data during the novel MR protocol at both baseline and follow-up time points. However, we were unable to complete analysis of the FSA metrics, because of disruptions due to COVID-19, therefore the results have not been possible to report.
At baseline

Secondary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Measure Description
Time Frame
Secondary Outcome 1: Detect Longitudinal Changes in Tumour Load With Therapy [MY-RADS RAC (Myeloma Response Assessment and Diagnosis System Response Assessment Classification) vs IMWG (International Myeloma Working Group) Response Group Classification]
Time Frame: Comparison between baseline and follow-up at 6 months.

Secondary Objective 1: To assess whether the novel Magnetic Resonance (MR) protocol can improve detection of longitudinal changes in tumour burden in patients with new or relapsed myeloma during therapy, compared to the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Response Group classification alone.

This section compared two indicators of therapy response:

  1. IMWG Response Group classification [1], based on % change in serum paraprotein
  2. MY-RADS RAC (Myeloma Response Assessment and Diagnosis System Response Assessment Classification) based on expert radiologist interpretation of paired novel MR imaging, guided by Messiou et. al. criteria [2].

Ref:

  1. https://www.myeloma.org/resource-library/international-myeloma-working-group-imwg-uniform-response-criteria-multiple
  2. Messiou, Christina, et al. "Guidelines for acquisition, interpretation, and reporting of whole-body MRI in myeloma: myeloma response assessment and diagnosis system (MY-RADS)." Radiology 291.1 (2019): 5-13.
Comparison between baseline and follow-up at 6 months.
Secondary Outcome 1: Detect Longitudinal Changes in Tumour Load With Therapy [MY-RADS RAC (Myeloma Response Assessment and Diagnosis System Response Assessment Classification) vs % Change in ADC (Apparent Diffusion Coefficient)]
Time Frame: Comparison between baseline and follow-up at 6 month

Secondary Objective 1: To assess whether the novel Magnetic Resonance (MR) protocol can improve detection of longitudinal changes in tumour burden in patients with new or relapsed myeloma during therapy, compared to the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Response Group classification alone.

This section compared two indicators of therapy response:

  1. % change in Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) measurements in participants where there was a lytic bone lesion identified on both baseline and follow-up novel MR scan amenable to ADC measurement [1].
  2. MY-RADS RAC (Myeloma Response Assessment and Diagnosis System Response Assessment Classification) based on expert radiologist interpretation of paired novel MR imaging, guided by Messiou et. al. criteria [1].

Ref:

[1] Messiou, Christina, et al. "Guidelines for acquisition, interpretation, and reporting of whole-body MRI in myeloma: myeloma response assessment and diagnosis system (MY-RADS)." Radiology 291.1 (2019): 5-13

Comparison between baseline and follow-up at 6 month
Secondary Outcome 1: Detect Longitudinal Changes in Tumour Load With Therapy [% Change in ADC (Apparent Diffusion Coefficient) vs IMWG (International Myeloma Working Group) Response Group Classification]
Time Frame: Comparison between baseline and follow-up at 6month

Secondary Objective 1: To assess whether the novel Magnetic Resonance (MR) protocol can improve detection of longitudinal changes in tumour burden in patients with new or relapsed myeloma during therapy, compared to the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Response Group classification alone.

This section compared two indicators of therapy response:

  1. IMWG Response Group classification [1], based on % change in serum paraprotein
  2. % change in Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) measurements in participants where there was a lytic bone lesion identified on both baseline and follow-up novel MR scan amenable to ADC measurement [2].

Ref:

  1. https://www.myeloma.org/resource-library/international-myeloma-working-group-imwg-uniform-response-criteria-multiple
  2. Messiou, Christina, et al. "Guidelines for acquisition, interpretation, and reporting of whole-body MRI in myeloma: myeloma response assessment and diagnosis system (MY-RADS)." Radiology 291.1 (2019): 5-13
Comparison between baseline and follow-up at 6month
Secondary Outcome 2: Detect Longitudinal Changes in Bone Microarchitecture With Therapy (% Change in Bone Turnover Markers)
Time Frame: Comparison between baseline and follow-up at 6month

Secondary Objective 2: To assess whether the novel Magnetic Resonance (MR) protocol and exploratory bone biomarkers can improve detection of longitudinal changes in bone loss in patients with myeloma (new, relapsed, smouldering) and Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) during therapy, compared to Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and established bone biomarkers alone.

This section examined whether longitudinal change in bone turnover markers differed by chemotherapy responders vs non-responders.

  • The % change in bone biomarker measurements was expressed as a ratio of follow-up / baseline of paired measurements
  • Participants were classified by International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) Response Group classification, as responder (partial response, very good partial response or complete response) or non-responder (stable, progressive or relapse).
Comparison between baseline and follow-up at 6month
Secondary Outcome 2: Detect Longitudinal Changes in Bone Microarchitecture With Therapy (Correlations Between % Change in Bone Turnover Markers)
Time Frame: Comparison between baseline and follow-up at 6month

Secondary Objective 2: To assess whether the novel Magnetic Resonance (MR) protocol and exploratory bone biomarkers can improve detection of longitudinal changes in bone loss in patients with myeloma (new, relapsed, smouldering) and Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) during therapy, compared to Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and established bone biomarkers alone.

This particular section examined the correlation between longitudinal changes in bone turnover markers between one another (calculated as a ratio of follow-up measurement divided by baseline measurement). Spearman's rank correlation was performed for the longitudinal % change between different biomarkers, to assess the relationship between longitudinal changes in these measures.

Comparison between baseline and follow-up at 6month
Secondary Outcome 2: Detect Longitudinal Changes in Bone Microarchitecture With Therapy [Correlations Between % Change in Bone Turnover Markers With % Change in Bone Mineral Density (BMD) or Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC)]
Time Frame: Comparison between baseline and follow-up at 6month

Secondary Objective 2: To assess whether the novel Magnetic Resonance (MR) protocol and exploratory bone biomarkers can improve detection of longitudinal changes in bone loss in patients with myeloma (new, relapsed, smouldering) and Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) during therapy, compared to Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) and established bone biomarkers alone.

This section examined the correlation (using Spearman's Rank Correlation Coefficient) between longitudinal changes (expressed as a ratio of follow-up / baseline of paired measurements) in bone turnover markers and:

  1. Longitudinal changes in DXA Bone Mineral Density (BMD) at lumbar spine (L1-4) and femoral neck;
  2. Longitudinal changes in novel MR Apparent Diffusion Coefficient (ADC) measurements.
Comparison between baseline and follow-up at 6month
Secondary Objective 3: Assess Participants' Quality of Life Throughout the Study
Time Frame: At baseline and six months

Secondary Objective 3: To assess how quality of life compares between groups and longitudinally in patients with myeloma, Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS), and healthy volunteers.

The EuroQol 5-Dimension (EQ-5D) assess the mobility, self-care, usual activities, pain/discomfort, anxiety and depression on a 5-point scale, in which a lower score represents better quality of life (1 = 'no problems', 5 = maximum problems, for each domain). The second part of the EQ-5D assess health on a scale where 100 is the best health and 0 is the worst health.

At baseline and six months
Secondary Outcome 4: Assess Participants' Experience of Novel Magnetic Resonance (MR) and Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) Scans
Time Frame: At baseline and six months

This questionnaire assesses the experience of the Novel Magnetic Resonance (MR) and Dual-energy X-ray Absorptiometry (DXA) scans. Answers were recorded on a 5 point Likert scale where the lower number represents a better outcome.

Scale descriptors:

Q1 (Overall Experience): 1 (Very comfortable)/ 2 (Comfortable)/ 3 (Neither comfortable or uncomfortable)/ 4 (Uncomfortable)/ 5 (Very uncomfortable) Q2 (Adverse Effects): 1 (YES) / 0 (NO) Q3 (Length of Time): 0 (Too short) / 1 (Just right) / 2 (Too long) Q4 (Pain/Discomfort): 1 (No Increase)/ 2 (Mild Increase)/ 3 (Moderate Increase)/ 4 (High Increase)/ 5 (Severe Increase) Q5 (Likely to Reparticipate): 0 (Extremely Unlikely) / 1 (Unlikely) / 2 (Neither Likely or Unlikely) / 3 (Likely) / 4 (Extremely Likely) Q6 (How similar to expectations): 1 (YES) / 0 (NO) Q7 (Comfort with Staff): 1 (YES) / 0 (NO)

At baseline and six months

Collaborators and Investigators

This is where you will find people and organizations involved with this study.

Collaborators

Investigators

  • Principal Investigator: Karthik Ramasamy, University of Oxford Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust

Study record dates

These dates track the progress of study record and summary results submissions to ClinicalTrials.gov. Study records and reported results are reviewed by the National Library of Medicine (NLM) to make sure they meet specific quality control standards before being posted on the public website.

Study Major Dates

Study Start (Actual)

March 29, 2018

Primary Completion (Actual)

December 30, 2020

Study Completion (Actual)

December 30, 2020

Study Registration Dates

First Submitted

May 1, 2019

First Submitted That Met QC Criteria

May 14, 2019

First Posted (Actual)

May 15, 2019

Study Record Updates

Last Update Posted (Actual)

August 19, 2025

Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria

July 31, 2025

Last Verified

July 1, 2025

More Information

Terms related to this study

Plan for Individual participant data (IPD)

Plan to Share Individual Participant Data (IPD)?

UNDECIDED

Drug and device information, study documents

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product

No

Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product

No

This information was retrieved directly from the website clinicaltrials.gov without any changes. If you have any requests to change, remove or update your study details, please contact register@clinicaltrials.gov. As soon as a change is implemented on clinicaltrials.gov, this will be updated automatically on our website as well.

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