From the Research
Hyperproteinemia is primarily caused by conditions such as multiple myeloma, dehydration, chronic inflammatory diseases, and monoclonal gammopathies, which lead to an abnormal increase in protein levels in the blood. The most common causes of hyperproteinemia include:
- Dehydration, which concentrates proteins in the bloodstream due to decreased plasma volume
- Multiple myeloma, where cancerous plasma cells produce excessive immunoglobulins 1, 2
- Chronic inflammatory conditions like rheumatoid arthritis or lupus that trigger increased protein production
- Monoclonal gammopathies such as Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia Other causes include severe infections, liver diseases like cirrhosis, and certain autoimmune disorders. Hyperproteinemia can also result from medications that increase protein production or from intravenous immunoglobulin therapy. According to a recent study, bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor, has been shown to be effective in treating multiple myeloma, a common cause of hyperproteinemia 1, 2. The condition is diagnosed through blood tests measuring total protein levels, with further testing like protein electrophoresis to identify specific protein abnormalities. Treatment focuses on addressing the underlying cause rather than the protein elevation itself, as hyperproteinemia is typically a symptom rather than a primary condition. A study published in 2021 found that the addition of elotuzumab to RVd induction and maintenance did not improve patient outcomes in high-risk multiple myeloma, but progression-free survival in both study groups exceeded the original statistical assumptions, supporting the role for continuous proteasome inhibitors and immunomodulatory drug combination maintenance therapy for this patient population 2. Another study published in 2017 summarized the evidence for the efficacy and safety of bortezomib, thalidomide, and lenalidomide in patients with multiple myeloma, and found that all three drugs significantly improved overall response and progression-free survival, but only bortezomib showed significantly greater overall survival compared with the control arm 3.