Multiple Myeloma – Prevention with a Plant-Based Diet

Abstract

Multiple Myeloma (MM) accounts for 10% of all hematologic cancers. Despite improved treatments most patients will die from myeloma or from treatment-related impacts. A safe prophylaxis to reduce the risk of multiple myeloma, and a safe treatment to prevent or slow the progression of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance (MGUS) to multiple myeloma, is urgently needed. Evidence suggests that inflammation and endogenous growth factors, including insulin-like growth factors (IGF)-1 and inter-leukin (IL)-6, play an important role in MM pathogenesis. Obesity, which is associated with inflammation and dysregulated endogenous growth factors, has consistently been positively associated with MM risk. Vegetarian diets are associated with lower BMI in observational and randomized controlled studies. Vegetarians, on average, have lower levels of IGF-1. The lower CRP and IL-6 concentrations among vegetarians and vegans may be mediated, in part, by a lower BMI. A high BMI increases the risk of MGUS proceeding to MM. One study showed that vegetarians had only 25% of the risk of multiple myeloma as meat eaters. Cardiovascular disease (CVD) was associated with a 55% increase in mortality in multiple myeloma patients. A plant-based diet is an efficacious prophylaxis and treatment for CVD. A plant-based diet has the significant advantage of having no contraindications or adverse reactions. It deserves a place in the prevention and treatment of MM and MGUS. Patients are interested in how their diets can help treat MM and improve their quality of life. Patient compliance with plant-based diets has been good in several studies.