AI Tool Measures Body Composition Changes in Multiple Myeloma Patients
Routine whole-body MRI scans can reveal critical health outcomes for multiple myeloma patients beyond simply tracking tumor locations, according to a study by researchers at The Royal Marsden NHS Trust. Multiple myeloma is an incurable cancer of the plasma cells, with around 6,000 new diagnoses every year in the UK. Patients typically endure prolonged treatment regimens involving drug combinations over several years. While these therapies improve survival rates, they also impact skeletal muscle, body fat, and overall physical health. Clinicians previously lacked objective ways to measure these physical shifts.
To address this gap, researchers at The Royal Marsden developed an artificial intelligence tool capable of automatically measuring a patient’s skeletal muscle, body fat, and organ volumes using only routine whole-body MRI scans. As part of the study, the AI analyzed scans from 40 patients who underwent imaging before treatment, after induction chemotherapy, and following a stem cell transplant. The analysis revealed that treatment directly correlates with measurable shifts in body composition. For instance, abdominal skeletal muscle decreased after induction chemotherapy, while subcutaneous and visceral fat increased during treatment before partially recovering post-transplant.
Personalizing Cancer Care Through Advanced Imaging Analysis
“This research shows that we can learn more from the MRI scans that patients are already having as part of their care,” said Christina Messiou, chief investigator of the study, consultant radiologist at The Royal Marsden, and professor for personalised oncology at The Institute of Cancer Research. “By using AI to understand changes in body composition over the course of treatment, we hope to build a more complete picture of a patient’s overall health, not just how their cancer is responding.”
In clinical practice, this technology could help identify patients who need a more holistic approach to cancer care, including physiotherapy, nutritional guidance, or tailored exercise programs. Messiou noted that the tool could also detect treatment side effects earlier and let clinicians compare the impacts of different therapies on patient wellbeing. Although the technology remains in the research phase, the long-term vision is for every whole-body scan to provide dual insights into disease progression and overall physical health. Larger, multicentre studies are now required to confirm these findings before the AI tool enters routine clinical use.
Understanding Multiple Myeloma and Whole-Body Imaging
Bone involvement is one of the most prominent features of multiple myeloma, alongside anemia, hypercalcemia, and renal failure, according to methodology outlined in the PMC journal (PMC7693006). Historically, conventional skeletal surveys were used to assess bone lesions due to low costs and availability. However, cross-sectional imaging techniques such as whole-body CT, PET/CT, and whole-body MRI provide higher sensitivity for detecting focal lesions. The International Myeloma Working Group recommends whole-body MRI as first-line imaging for suspected cases of asymptomatic myeloma or solitary bone plasmacytoma, noting its superior ability to detect both diffuse bone marrow infiltration and focal lesions before mineral bone destruction occurs.
Did you know? Up to half of multiple myeloma lesions can be missed when imaging is restricted to the spine only, which is why wide anatomical coverage through whole-body MRI is necessary for accurate disease staging, as detailed in research published on PMC (PMC7693006).
Frequently Asked Questions About Multiple Myeloma MRI Scans
What does a whole-body MRI scan show in multiple myeloma patients?
Whole-body MRI scans detect bone marrow involvement, diffuse infiltration, and focal lesions before mineral bone is destroyed. Recent research from The Royal Marsden also demonstrates that AI tools can analyze these scans to measure skeletal muscle, body fat, and organ volumes.
When will the AI body composition tool be available in clinics?
The technology is currently in the research phase. The Royal Marsden NHS Trust states that larger, multicentre studies are required to confirm the findings before the tool can be integrated into routine clinical practice.
Why is whole-body MRI preferred over conventional skeletal surveys?
Whole-body MRI offers significantly higher sensitivity for the detection of bone marrow involvement and focal lesions compared to conventional X-ray surveys, allowing clinicians to identify disease activity earlier in the diagnostic process.