What question did this study set out to answer?

Evaluate the prognostic value of baseline circulating soluble BCMA in multiple myeloma patients undergoing BCMA-directed therapies.

February 21, 2026Open Access

Soluble B-Cell Maturation Antigen as a Prognostic Marker for Progression-Free Survival in Multiple Myeloma Treated with BCMA-Directed Therapies: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Key Points

Evaluate the prognostic value of baseline circulating soluble BCMA in multiple myeloma patients undergoing BCMA-directed therapies.
Conducted systematic literature search across multiple databases in accordance with PRISMA guidelines.
Included studies reporting baseline circulating soluble BCMA and survival outcomes in RRMM patients.
Pooled hazard ratios for progression-free survival and overall survival using random-effects models.
Assessed risk of bias using the QUIPS tool.
Four cohorts of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma were included in the meta-analysis.
Elevated baseline soluble BCMA associated with worse progression-free survival (pooled HR = 2.64, p < 0.05).
Moderate to substantial heterogeneity noted across studies (I2 = 63.2%).
Subgroup analysis indicated variable prognostic impact of sBCMA depending on therapy class.

Abstract

Background: B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) directed therapies have transformed the treatment landscape for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM). Soluble BCMA (sBCMA), a circulating product of the membrane-bound BCMA shedding, has emerged as a potential biomarker reflecting tumor burden and disease biology. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to evaluate the prognostic value of baseline circulating sBCMA in patients with multiple myeloma receiving BCMA-directed therapies, with progression-free survival (PFS) as the primary endpoint. Methods: A systematic literature search of PubMed/MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, and Web of Science databases was conducted in accordance with PRISMA guidelines. Studies enrolling patients with multiple myeloma treated with BCMA-directed therapies and reporting baseline circulating sBCMA measured in serum or plasma in relation to survival outcomes were included. Hazard ratios (HRs) for PFS and overall survival (OS) were pooled using random-effects models. Risk of bias was assessed using the QUIPS tool. Results: Four independent RRMM cohorts fulfilled the eligibility criteria and were included in the quantitative PFS meta-analysis. Elevated baseline circulating sBCMA was significantly associated with inferior PFS (pooled HR = 2.64, p < 0.05), with a consistent adverse prognostic direction across all studies. Moderate to substantial heterogeneity was observed (I2 = 63.2%), potentially reflecting differences in BCMA-directed therapy modalities across cohorts and methodological variability, including study-specific sBCMA cut-off definitions, assay procedures and sampling timepoints. Exploratory subgroup analysis suggested that the prognostic impact of baseline sBCMA on PFS may differ according to BCMA-directed therapy class. Overall risk of bias was judged as low to moderate. Conclusions: Elevated baseline circulating sBCMA is associated with inferior progression-free survival in patients with multiple myeloma treated with BCMA-directed therapies. These findings support the prognostic relevance of sBCMA as a risk stratification marker, although harmonization of assays and cut-offs and prospective validation are required before clinical implementation.

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