High body-mass index and multiple myeloma risk: insights from the global burden of disease 2021 study and identification of core target genes

High Body mass index (BMI) is a well-established risk factor for various hematological malignancies. However, the relation and mechanism between high BMI and multiple myeloma remain largely unknown. This study investigates the global disease burden of multiple myeloma (MM) associated with high BMI using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study 2021. Bioinformatic integrative analysis was performed to uncover key therapeutic targets related to MM development. In 2021, the number of MM deaths associated with high BMI reached 9,165, marking a 203.2% increase from 1990. The age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) and disability-adjusted life years (DALY) rate for high BMI-associated MM increased from 0.08/100,000 (95% UI: −0.03/100,000–0.21/100,000) and 1.81/100,000 (95% UI:−0.64/100,000–4.65/100,000) in 1990 to 0.11/100,000 (95% UI:−0.04/100,000–0.27/100,000) and 2.39/100,000 (95% UI: −0.97/100,000–5.94/100,000) in 2021, respectively. Notably, males and older populations exhibited higher mortality and DALY rates in 2021. Predictive modeling suggests that the mortality of high BMI-associated MM will continue to rise over the next 25 years. Solute Carrier Family 25 Member 13 (SLC25A13) and THO Complex Subunit 2 (THOC2) were identified as core target genes in high BMI-associated MM. GO analysis demonstrated that some key pathways were related to these two target genes, including immune microenvironment, cell proliferation and cell metabolism. The above findings underscore the growing public health threat posed by high BMI-associated MM and highlight the need for targeted interventions. SLC25A13 and THOC2 may play an important role in high BMI-associated MM and could serve as potential treatment targets in the future.