An international field study of the reliability and validity of a disease-specific questionnaire module (the QLQ-MY20) in assessing the quality of life of patients with multiple myeloma

Health-related quality of life in transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma treated with daratumumab, lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone: Patient-reported outcomes from GRIFFIN

In the phase 2 GRIFFIN trial (ClinicalTrials.gov identifier: NCT02874742), daratumumab added to lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (D-RVd) improved depth of response and progression-free survival (PFS) versus lenalidomide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (RVd) alone in transplant-eligible (TE) patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). Here, we present patient-reported outcomes (PROs) collected using the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30-item (QLQ-C30), EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire Multiple Myeloma Module 20-item (QLQ-MY20), and EuroQol 5-Dimension 5-Level (EQ-5D-5L) tools on day 1 of cycles 1, 2, and 3; on day 21 of cycle 4 (end of induction therapy); on day 1 of cycle 5; on day 21 of cycle 6 (end of posttransplant consolidation therapy); and at months 6, 12, 18, and 24 of maintenance therapy. Meaningful improvements from baseline were seen in most of the PRO scales with both treatments after consolidation and were sustained for at least 2 years of maintenance treatment. Large reductions from baseline (~20 points) were especially observed in pain symptoms for both treatment groups, although these were numerically higher for patients receiving D-RVd during the majority of the time points. In addition, improvements in key scales, such as global health status, fatigue symptoms, and physical functioning, were also seen with both D-RVd and RVd. These improvements in health-related quality of life contribute to the totality of evidence supporting the improvement in clinical outcomes such as response rates and PFS with D-RVd in induction, consolidation, and maintenance therapy in TE patients with NDMM.

Multiple myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a haematological lymphoid malignancy involving tumoural plasma cells and is usually characterized by the presence of a monoclonal immunoglobulin protein. MM is the second most common haematological malignancy, with an increasing global incidence. It remains incurable because most patients relapse or become refractory to treatments. MM is a genetically complex disease with high heterogeneity that develops as a multistep process, involving acquisition of genetic alterations in the tumour cells and changes in the bone marrow microenvironment. Symptomatic MM is diagnosed using the International Myeloma Working Group criteria as a bone marrow infiltration of ≥10% clonal plasma cells, and the presence of at least one myeloma-defining event, either standard CRAB features (hypercalcaemia, renal failure, anaemia and/or lytic bone lesions) or biomarkers of imminent organ damage. Younger and fit patients are considered eligible for transplant. They receive an induction, followed by consolidation with high-dose melphalan and autologous haematopoietic cell transplantation, and maintenance therapy. In older adults (ineligible for transplant), the combination of daratumumab, lenalidomide and dexamethasone is the preferred option. If relapse occurs and requires further therapy, the choice of therapy will be based on previous treatment and response and now includes immunotherapies, such as bi-specific monoclonal antibodies and chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy.

Management of Bone Disease with Concurrent Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-Cell Therapy for Multiple Myeloma

In the intricate landscape of multiple myeloma, a hematologic malignancy of plasma cells, bone disease presents a pivotal and often debilitating complication. The emergence of Chimeric Antigen Receptor T-cell (CAR-T) therapy has marked a pivotal shift in the therapeutic landscape, offering novel avenues for the management of MM, particularly for those with relapsed or refractory disease. This innovative treatment modality not only targets malignant cells with precision but also influences the bone microenvironment, presenting both challenges and opportunities in patient care. In this comprehensive review, we aim to examine the multifaceted aspects of bone disease in patients with multiple myeloma and concurrent CAR-T therapy, highlighting its clinical ramifications and the latest advancements in diagnostic modalities and therapeutic interventions. The article aims to synthesize current understanding of the interplay between myeloma cells, CAR-T cells, and the bone microenvironment in the context of current treatment strategies in this challenging and unique patient population.

Quality of life gains in frail and intermediate-fit patients with multiple Myeloma: Findings from the prospective HOVON123 clinical trial

BACKGROUND

Frailty in newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients is associated with treatment-related toxicity, which negatively affects health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Currently, data on changes in HRQoL of frail and intermediate-fit MM patients during active treatment and post-treatment follow-up are absent.

METHODS

The HOVON123 study (NTR4244) was a phase II trial in which NDMM patients ≥ 75 years were treated with nine dose-adjusted cycles of Melphalan-Prednisone-Bortezomib (MPV). Two HRQoL instruments (EORTC QLQ-C30 and -MY20) were obtained before start of treatment, after 3 and 9 months of treatment and 6 and 12 months after treatment for patients who did not yet start second-line treatment. HRQoL changes and/or differences in frail and intermediate-fit patients (IMWG frailty score) were reported only when both statistically significant (p < 0.005) and clinically relevant (>MID).

RESULTS

137 frail and 71 intermediate-fit patients were included in the analysis. Compliance was high and comparable in both groups. At baseline, frail patients reported lower global health status, lower physical functioning scores and more fatigue and pain compared to intermediate-fit patients. Both groups improved in global health status and future perspective; polyneuropathy complaints worsened over time. Frail patients improved over time in physical functioning, fatigue and pain. Improvement in global health status occurred earlier than in intermediate-fit patients.

CONCLUSION

HRQoL improved during anti-myeloma treatment in both intermediate-fit and frail MM patients. In frail patients, improvement occurred faster and, in more domains, which was retained during follow-up. This implies that physicians should not withhold safe and effective therapies from frail patients in fear of HRQoL deterioration.

The impact of current therapeutic options on the health-related quality of life of patients with relapse/refractory multiple myeloma: a systematic review of clinical studies

PURPOSE

Patients with relapse and/or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) have a high disease burden with poor health-related quality of life (HRQoL) which worsens with each additional relapse. We aimed to review the impact of triplet, doublet, monotherapies, and salvage autologous stem cell transplantation on the HRQoL of RRMM patients.

METHODS

We performed a comprehensive literature search of Medline/PubMed, Wiley Cochrane Library, EMBASE, Scopus, CINAHL, and Clinicaltrials.gov to identify clinical studies in RRMM patients with HRQoL as an outcome measure. The ISOQoL and CONSORT-PRO extension guidelines were used to assess the quality of HRQoL reporting. We synthesized the result using a qualitative analysis.

RESULTS

A total of 10,245 RRMM patients enrolled in 28 eligible studies received either a triplet, doublet regimen, monotherapy, or salvage autologous stem cell transplantation. The EORTC QLQ-C30 was the most used questionnaire, and compliance with HRQoL reporting standards is generally poor among studies without an additional HRQoL publication. Most of the current therapeutic options are at best able to maintain HRQoL at baseline but not improve it. The methodological and reporting heterogeneity among the studies complicates generalizations.

CONCLUSIONS

Many of the current treatment regimens for RRMM have demonstrated clinical effectiveness in trials. Unlike newly diagnosed MM, these regimens are less likely to result in significant improvement in HRQoL in RRMM. This should be communicated to patients before initiating therapies.

IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS

Individualized therapeutic approach for RRMM should be chosen based on a shared decision-making process that aligns clinical efficacy with patients' treatment priorities and HRQoL.

QoL during KTd or KRd induction followed by K maintenance or observation in transplant noneligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: Longitudinal and cross-sectional analysis of the randomized AGMT 02 study

Understanding the impact of induction and maintenance therapy on patients' quality of life (QoL) is important for treatment selection. This study aims to compare patient-reported QoL between patients treated with KTd or KRd induction therapy and K maintenance therapy or observation. QoL was assessed using the EORTC QOL-C 30 and QOL-MY20 questionnaires in the AGMT-02 study, in which 123 patients with newly diagnosed transplant ineligible multiple myeloma were randomized to nine cycles of either KTd or KRd induction therapy, followed by 12 cycles of K maintenance therapy, or observation. Longitudinal assessments showed statistically significant improvements in global health-related QoL, various disease symptoms and pain for both treatment regimens. KTd improved insomnia and fatigue, and KRd improved physical functioning. Cross-sectional comparisons indicated a "slight" superiority of KTd over KRd in several scales, with the exception of higher neuropathy scores with KTd. During maintenance, longitudinal comparisons showed no statistically significant changes. Cross-sectional comparisons revealed a "slight" improvement in cognitive functioning during carfilzomib therapy, but a worsening in most other QoL scales. Induction therapy led to improvements in most QoL items, while maintenance therapy with K maintenance was associated with "slight" or "moderate" impairments in several QoL scales compared with the observation group.

Psychometric properties of the Chilean version of the quality of life questionnaire for multiple myeloma

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the internal consistency and construct validity of the QLQ-MY20 for assessing the quality of life in multiple myeloma survivors in Chile.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study conducted between March 2020 and December 2022. It involved 118 individuals from two public hospitals. The QLQ-C30 and QLQ-MY20 questionnaires were used. Internal consistency was assessed using Cronbach's alpha(α), and construct validity was evaluated through hypothesis testing (Mann-Whitney and Spearman correlation).

RESULTS

The average age of participants was 67.2 years (SD=9.2). Internal consistency for the complete scale was α=0.779, for the "disease symptoms" dimension α=0.671, for the "side effects of treatments" dimension α=0.538, and for the "future perspective" dimension α=0.670. Four of the five construct validity hypotheses were confirmed: women, individuals with worse performance status, those with pain, and those with worse fatigue showed more symptoms.

CONCLUSIONS

The Chilean version of the QLQ-MY20 demonstrates adequate internal consistency and construct validity.

Characterization and Outcomes of Spanish Patients With Relapsed/Refractory Multiple Myeloma Included in the LocoMMotion Study

BACKGROUND

Despite advances in treatments for multiple myeloma (MM), most patients relapse and become refractory to standard drug classes including immunomodulatory drugs (IMiDs), proteasome inhibitors (PIs), and anti-CD38 antibodies. The LocoMMotion study showed poor clinical outcomes in triple-class exposed patients with relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) treated with real-world clinical practice (RWCP) therapy. Here, we report efficacy outcomes for Spanish patients receiving RWCP treatments in the LocoMMotion study compared with the full cohort.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The prospective, noninterventional, multinational LocoMMotion study (NCT04035226) enrolled 248 patients who had received ≥ 3 prior lines of therapy (LOT), including a PI, an IMiD, and an anti-CD38 antibody, with disease progression during or after their last LOT. The primary endpoint was overall response rate (ORR). Secondary endpoints included progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS).

RESULTS

Spanish patients (n = 24) had received a median of 4 prior LOT (range, 2-7). At 29.2 months median follow-up, patients had received 14 different treatment regimens used in RWCP during the study. Efficacy outcomes were consistent between the Spanish cohort and overall study population. The ORR was 29.2% (95% CI, 12.6%-51.1%). Median PFS and OS were 4.6 months (95% CI, 1.2-6.3) and 11.6 months (95% CI, 6.4-24.5), respectively.

CONCLUSION

Spanish patients from the LocoMMotion study demonstrated poor outcomes in response to RWCP treatments consistent with those of the overall study population, highlighting the need for access to new and effective therapies for patients with RRMM in Spain and globally.

Health-related quality of life and quality-adjusted progression free survival for carfilzomib and dexamethasone maintenance following salvage autologous stem-cell transplantation in patients with multiple myeloma: a randomized phase 2 trial by the Nordic Myeloma Study Group

BACKGROUND

Decisions regarding maintenance therapy in patients with multiple myeloma should be based on both treatment efficacy and health-related quality of life (HRQL) consequences. In the CARFI trial, patients with first relapse of multiple myeloma underwent salvage autologous stem cell transplantation (salvage ASCT) before randomization to carfilzomib-dexamethasone maintenance therapy (Kd) or observation. The primary clinical endpoint was time to progression, which was extended by 8 months by Kd. The aim of this paper is to present the all HRQL endpoints of the CARFI trial including the HRQL effect of Kd maintenance therapy relative to observation. The primary HRQL endpoint was assessed by EORTC QLQ-C30 Summary score (QLQ-C30-sum) at 8 months follow-up. A key secondary HRQL endpoint was quality-adjusted progression-free-survival (QAPFS).

METHODS

HRQL was assessed with EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-MY20 and FACT/GOG-Ntx at randomization and every second month during follow-up. HRQL data were analyzed with linear mixed effect models until 8 months follow-up. QAPFS per individual was calculated by multiplying progression-free survival (PFS) by two quality-adjustment metrics, the QLQ-C30-sum and EORTC Quality of Life Utility Measure-Core 10 dimensions (QLU-C10D). The QAPFS per treatment group was estimated with the Kaplan-Meier method. P < 0.05 was used for statistical significance, and a between-group minimal important difference of 10 points was interpreted as clinically relevant for the QLQ-C30-sum.

RESULTS

168 patients were randomized. HRQL questionnaire compliance was 93%. For the QLQ-C30-sum, the difference of 4.62 points (95% confidence interval (CI) -8.9: -0.4, p = 0.032) was not clinically relevant. PFS was 19.3 months for the Kd maintenance group and 16.8 months for the observation group; difference = 2.5 months (95% CI 0.5; 4.5). QAPFS based on the QLQ-C30-sum for the Kd maintenance group was 18.0 months (95% CI 16.4; 19.6) and for the observation group 15.0 months (95% CI 13.5; 16.5); difference = 3.0 months (95% CI 0.8-5.3). QAPFS based on the QLU-C10D for the Kd maintenance group was 17.5 months (95% CI 15.9; 19.2) and 14.0 months (95% CI 12.4; 15.5) for the observation group; difference = 3.5 months (95% CI 1.1-5.9).

CONCLUSIONS

Kd maintenance therapy after salvage ASCT did not adversely affect overall HRQL, but adjustment for HRQL reduced the PFS compared to unadjusted PFS. PFS of maintenance therapy should be quality-adjusted to balance the benefits and HRQL impact.

The impact of divergent forms of social support on health-related quality of life in patients with multiple myeloma and its precursor states

PURPOSE

Multiple myeloma is a largely incurable disease. Patients suffer from the cancer, therapeutic side effects, and often psychological symptoms. Not only multiple myeloma patients but also patients with precursor diseases show high psychological distress. Today, treatment option evaluations are increasingly performed in combination with health-related quality of life (HRQoL) assessments. One factor that is positively associated with HRQoL is social support.

METHODS

Our recent study used questionnaires (EORTC QLQ-C30, EORTC QLQ-MY20, Illness-specific Social Support Scale) to investigate the influence of positive and negative aspects of social support on HRQoL in patients with multiple myeloma and its precursors.

RESULTS

Multiple linear regression analyses with sex, age, treatment line, hemoglobin level, and number of comorbidities as control variables show that positive social support had a significant beneficial association with emotional function (β = 0.323) and social function (β = 0.251). Detrimental interactions had a significant negative association with social function (β =  - 0.209) and a significant positive association with side effects of treatment (β = 0.266).

CONCLUSION

Therefore, screening for social support and, if needed, psycho-oncological care can be an important resource and should be implemented in routine care.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered with clinicaltrials.gov (NCT04328038).

Guidelines for the Use and Reporting of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Multiple Myeloma Clinical Trials

In the era of personalized medicine there is an increasing need for the assessment of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) to become a standard of patient care. Patient-reported outcome measures (PROM) are important in assessing significant and meaningful changes as a result of an intervention based on a patient's own perspective. It is well established that active multiple myeloma (MM) can be characterized by a high burden of disease and treatment-related symptoms, with considerable worsening of quality of life (QoL). In general, and over the past decade, the focus has shifted to obtaining the most durable remissions with the best QoL as primary goals for MM treatment. Patients place considerable value on their QoL and communicating about QoL data prior to treatment decisions allows them to make informed treatment choices. Consequently, optimization of QoL of patients with MM is an important therapeutic goal and the incorporation of PROs into clinical trials has the potential of improving treatment outcomes. In this regard, guidance for the use and reporting of PROMs in MM in clinical trials is warranted. Under the auspices of the European Hematology Association, evidence-based guidelines for the use and reporting of PROs in patients with MM have been developed according to the EHA's core Guidelines Development Methodology. This document provides general considerations for the choice of PROMs in MM clinical trials as well as a series of recommendations covering a selection of PROMs in MM clinical trials; the mode of administration; timing of assessments; strategies to minimize missing data; sample size calculation; reporting of results; and interpretation of results.

Adverse cognitive effects of glucocorticoids: A systematic review of the literature

OBJECTIVES

Glucocorticoids as a drug class are widely used in the treatment of many conditions including more recently as one of the mainstay treatments for the SARS-CoV-2 infection. The physiological adverse effects are well described. However, less is known and understood about the potentially deleterious neuro-cognitive effects of this class of medication.

METHODS

We carried out a systematic review of the literature using two separate search strategies. The first focussed on the rates of reporting of adverse cognitive effects of glucocorticoid use in randomised controlled trials. The second looked at those studies focussing directly on adverse cognitive effects associated with the use of glucocorticoids. MEDLINE, Embase and Cochrane Library was searched for randomised controlled trials utilising glucocorticoids as a part of a treatment regimen. Additionally, these databases were also used to search for articles looking directly at the adverse cognitive effects of glucocorticoids.

RESULTS

Of the forty-three RCTs included as a part of the first search strategy, only one (2.3%) included specific documentation pertaining to cognitive side effects. As a part of the twenty studies included in the second search strategy, eleven of the included studies (55%) were able to demonstrate a correlation between glucocorticoid use and decreased cognition. Most studies within this strategy showed that GCs predominately affected hippocampus-dependent functions such as memory, while sparing executive function and attention.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the data reporting of adverse clinical effects of glucocorticoid use is poor in recent RCTs. Given the demonstrable effect on predominately hippocampal-dependent cognitive functions evident within the literature, more thorough documentation is needed within clinical research to fully appreciate the potentially widespread nature of these effects.

Predictors of health-related quality of life of the patients treated for MM: the first study in the Palestinian healthcare system

Little studies were conducted to assess the health -related quality of life (HR-QoL) of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) in developing and resource-limited countries. This study assessed the HR-QoL of patients with MM who received treatment in the Palestinian healthcare system as an example of healthcare systems in developing and resource-limited countries. Predictors of deteriorated HR-QoL of the affected patients were also identified. In this cross-sectional study, the tool was a questionnaire that collected the demographic and disease variables of the patients. The questionnaire also contained the EORTC QLQ-MY24 items. The questionnaire was piloted to ensure readability, clarity, and comprehensibility. Additionally, the test-retest reliability and internal consistency were also assessed. In this study, 45.5% of patients with MM who were treated in the Palestinian healthcare system returned usable questionnaires. The mean age of the patients was 60.7 ± 7.5 years and the mean time elapsed since diagnosis was 2.6 ± 1.7 years. Of the patients, 54.3%, 47.8%, 46.7%, 66.3%, 46.7%, and 46.7% reported frequent bone pain, pain that increased with activity, back pain, feeling ill, lost hair, and feeling restless or agitated, respectively. Higher disease symptom scores were predicted by low self-rated satisfaction with the ability to do daily life activities and low self-rated satisfaction with overall health. The side effects of treatment scores were predicted by longer time elapsed since diagnosis and low self-rated satisfaction with overall health. Future perspective scores were predicted by low self-rated satisfaction with overall health. On the other hand, social support scores were predicted by having a university education and not receiving radiotherapy. Patients with MM who were treated in the Palestinian healthcare system reported a heavy burden of disease symptoms, treatment adverse effects, and dissatisfaction with the information they received about their disease. The findings reported in this study are informative to hemato-oncologists and other healthcare providers who care for patients with MM in Palestine and other developing and resource-limited countries. Policymakers might use the findings reported in this study to design interventions to improve the HR-QoL of the patients.

Assessment of the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of EORTC QLQ-MY20 and evaluation of health-related quality of Life outcomes in patients with relapsed and/or refractory multiple myeloma in the real-world setting in Spain: results from the CharisMMa study

We evaluated the psychometric properties of the Spanish version of the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Multiple Myeloma (MM) specific quality-of-life (QoL) questionnaire module (QLQ-MY20) in relapsed/refractory MM (RRMM) patients. This was an observational, cross-sectional, multicenter study using EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-MY20 in RRMM patients (ClinicalTrials.gov ID NCT03188536). We assessed the non-response rate, ceiling/floor effects, internal consistency, test-retest reliability, and validity. The study included 276 patients (53.3% males, mean [SD] age of 67.4 [10.5] years). The EORTC QLQ-MY20 showed a low non-response rate, very low ceiling and floor effects, and good internal consistency. The test-retest reliability assessment revealed good temporary stability, the construct validity analysis stated four main factors similar to the ones of the original version, and the criterion validity assessment showed no differences between groups. In conclusion, the Spanish version of EORTC QLQ-MY20 is a reliable and valid tool for assessing QoL in RRMM patients.

Real-world treatment patterns, healthcare resource use and disease burden in patients with multiple myeloma in Europe

Aim: To investigate treatment patterns, healthcare resource utilization and disease burden in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Methods: Point-in-time survey of physicians and their patients presenting in a real-world clinical setting, collected across Europe between May and November 2021. Results: In total, 173 physicians provided data for 2179 patients with MM. Treatments received became more diverse as line of therapy increased, dictated by previous treatment choices. Overall, 25% of all patients were tri-exposed, and experienced a higher degree of healthcare resource utilization, disease burden and impairment than non-tri-exposed patients. Conclusion: The treatment landscape in MM is complex and evolving. There is an unmet need for more effective therapies to reduce disease burden, particularly in tri-exposed patients.

Prevalence and clinical outcomes of vitamin D deficiency among Japanese multiple myeloma patients: a single-center observational study

PURPOSE

Vitamin D plays a crucial role in skeletal metabolism and holds significant importance in the pathophysiology of multiple myeloma (MM). This study aimed to determine the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency among Japanese MM patients and its correlation with clinical outcomes.

METHODS

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels were assessed in 68 MM patients at a single institution in Japan, analyzing their association with clinical status, laboratory parameters including procollagen type 1 N-propeptide (P1NP) and tartrate-resistant acid phosphatase 5b (TRACP-5b), health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) scores, and overall survival. Additionally, patients with suboptimal 25(OH)D levels received cholecalciferol supplementation (1000 IU/day), and changes in laboratory parameters were monitored.

RESULTS

The median 25(OH)D level was 22 ng/ml, with 32% and 51% of patients exhibiting vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/ml) and insufficiency (20-29 ng/ml), respectively. The 25(OH)D levels were unrelated to sex, age, MM stage, or bone lesions, but the vitamin D-deficient group showed a tendency towards lower HR-QOL scores. Among patients achieving complete remission, vitamin D supplementation increased P1NP, while TRACP-5b remained unchanged. Overall survivals from vitamin D measurement and from MM diagnosis were significantly worse in the vitamin D-deficient group compared to the vitamin D-insufficient/-sufficient group.

CONCLUSION

The study identified a considerable number of Japanese MM patients with insufficient serum vitamin D levels, with one-third being deficient. Additionally, vitamin D deficiency predicted poor overall survival in Japanese MM patients. Further investigation is required to determine whether vitamin D supplementation can improve the frailty and survival of vitamin D-deficient MM patients.

Adherence to Patient-Reported Symptom Monitoring and Subsequent Clinical Interventions for Patients With Multiple Myeloma in Outpatient Care: Longitudinal Observational Study

BACKGROUND

The use of software to monitor patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) can improve outcomes for patients with cancer receiving anticancer therapy; however, evidence from applications used in routine clinical practice is lacking.

OBJECTIVE

We aimed to investigate adherence to and patient perceptions of a weekly, web-based PROM symptom monitoring program in routine clinical practice for patients with Multiple Myeloma. Moreover, we aimed to capture how clinical alerts prompted by the system influenced clinical care.

METHODS

We conducted a single-center longitudinal observational study to evaluate patient adherence to and perceptions of the PROM monitoring software in routine practice. Patients with Multiple Myeloma remotely completed weekly treatment-specific PROMs to monitor key symptoms via a dedicated web-based platform. Alarming symptoms triggered clinical alerts in the application for the treatment team, which could initiate clinical interventions. The primary outcomes were the web-based assessment completion rate and patients' perceptions of the monitoring program, as assessed by an evaluation questionnaire. Moreover, clinical alerts prompted by the system and consequential clinical interventions were analyzed.

RESULTS

Between July 2021 and June 2022, a total of 55 patients were approached for participation; 39 patients participated (24, 61% male, mean age 63.2, SD 9.2 years). The median assessment completion rate out of all weekly scheduled assessments was 70.3% (IQR 41.2%-89.6%). Most patients (77%) felt that the health care team was better informed about their health status due to the web-based assessments. Clinical alerts were triggered for 1758 of 14,639 (12%) reported symptoms. For 548 of 1758 (31.2%) alerts, the symptom had been registered before and no further action was required; for 348 of 1758 (19.9%) alerts, telephone consultation and self-management advice sufficed. Higher-level interventions were seldom needed in response to alerts: referral to a doctor or specialist (88/1758, 5% alerts), medication changes (22/1758, 1.3%), scheduling additional diagnostics (9/1758, 0.5%), or unplanned emergency visits (7/1758, 0.4%). Most patients (55%) reported the calls in response to alerts gave them "quite a bit" or "very much" of an added feeling of security during therapy.

CONCLUSIONS

Our study shows that high adherence to regular and tailored PROM monitoring can be achieved in routine clinical care. The findings provide valuable insight into how the PROM monitoring program and the clinical alerts and resulting interventions shaped clinical practice.

TRIAL REGISTRATION

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT05036863; https://clinicaltrials.gov/study/NCT05036863.

Assessment tools for patient-reported outcomes in multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND

Patients with multiple myeloma experience severe symptom burden. Patient participation in self-reporting is essential as medical staff's assessment of patient symptom severity is often lower than patient self-reporting. This article reviews patient-reported outcome (PRO) assessment tools and their application in the field of multiple myeloma.

RESULTS

The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) is the universal patient-reported outcome assessment tool most frequently used to evaluate the life quality in people with multiple myeloma. Among the specific patient-reported outcome assessment tools, the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Multiple Myeloma Module (EORTC QLQ-MY20), the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Multiple Myeloma (FACT-MM), and the M.D. Anderson Symptom Inventory-Multiple Myeloma Module (MDASI-MM) are the most widely used, with some scholars using the EORTC QLQ-MY20 as a calibration correlate for scale development. Most current assessment instruments were developed using classical measurement theory methods; future researchers could combine classic theory tests and item response theory to create scientific assessment instruments. In addition, researchers select the appropriate assessment tool based on the purpose of the study. They can translate high-quality assessment tools into different languages and consider applying them more often to assessing multiple myeloma patients. Finally, most existing PROs focus on measuring life quality and symptoms in people with multiple myeloma, with less research on outcomes such as adherence and satisfaction, thus failing to comprehensively evaluate the patient treatment and disease management.

CONCLUSIONS

Research has shown that the field of PROs in multiple myeloma is in an exploratory phase. There is still a need to enrich the content of PROs and develop more high-quality PRO scales for multiple myeloma based on the strengths and weaknesses of existing tools. With the successful advancement of information technology, PROs for people with multiple myeloma could be integrated with electronic information systems, allowing patients to report their health status in real time and doctors to track their condition and adjust their treatment, thereby improving patient outcomes.

Health-related quality of life and use of medication with anticholinergic activity in patients with multiple myeloma

PURPOSE

Verify the association between anticholinergic burden and health-related quality of life of patients with multiple myeloma.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study with multiple myeloma outpatient from a state capital city in southeastern Brazil. Sociodemographic, clinical, and pharmacotherapeutic variables were collected by interview. Clinical data were complemented by medical records. Drugs with anticholinergic activity were identified with Brazilian Anticholinergic Activity Drug Scale. Health-related quality of life scores were obtained using QLQ-C30 and QLQ-MY20 instruments. Mann-Whitney was used to compare the median of the health-related quality of life scale scores and the independent variables. Multivariate linear regression was performed to verify the association between independent variables and health-related quality of life scores.

RESULTS

Two hundred thirteen patients were included, 56.3% had multi-morbidities, and 71.8% used polypharmacy. In all health-related quality of life domains, there were differences between the medians of the polypharmacy variable. A significant difference was identified between the ACh burden and QLQ-C30 and QLQ-MY20 scores. Linear regression identified an association between the use of drugs with anticholinergic activity and the reduction of global status scores (QLQ-C30), functional scale (QLQ-C30), body image (QLQ-MY20), and future perspective (QLQ-MY20). Drugs with anticholinergic activity were associated with increased symptom scores (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-MY20). Polypharmacy was associated with reduction of functioning score and increase of symptom score (QLQ-C30).

CONCLUSION

Anticholinergic burden in MM patients is associated with lower scores in quality of life domains: global health and symptoms (QLQ-C30) and functional (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-MY20). The presence of polypharmacy is also associated with lower scores for functional scales and symptom scales (QLQ-C30).

Use of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer multiple myeloma module (EORTC QLQ-MY20): a review of the literature 25 years after development

The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Multiple Myeloma Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-MY20) was developed in 1996 to assess health-related quality of life (HRQoL) in patients with multiple myeloma. Since its development new therapies have prolonged survival in patients with myeloma and new combination agents are likely to impact HRQoL outcomes and its measurement.The aim of this review was to explore the use of the QLQ-MY20 and reported methodological issues.An electronic database search was conducted (1996-June 2020) to identify clinical studies/research that used the QLQ-MY20 or assessed its psychometric properties. Data were extracted from full-text publications/conference abstracts and checked by a second rater.The search returned 65 clinical and 9 psychometric validation studies. The QLQ-MY20 was used in interventional (n = 21, 32%) and observational (n = 44, 68%) studies and the publication of QLQ-MY20 data in clinical trials increased over time. Clinical studies commonly included relapsed patients with myeloma patients (n = 15, 68%) and assessed a range of combinations therapies.QLQ-MY20 subscales (disease symptoms [DS], side effects of treatment [SE], future perspectives [FP], body image [BI]) were defined as secondary (n = 12, 55%) or exploratory (n = 7, 32%) trial endpoints, particularly DS (n = 16, 72%) and SE (n = 16, 72%). Validation articles demonstrated that all domains performed well regarding internal consistency reliability (>0.7), test-reset reliability (intraclass correlation coefficient > =0.85), internal and external convergent and discriminant validity. Four articles reported a high percentage of ceiling effects in the BI subscale; all other subscales performed well regarding floor and ceiling effects.The EORTC QLQ-MY20 remains a widely used and psychometrically robust instrument. While no specific problems were identified from the published literature, qualitative interviews are ongoing to ensure new concepts and side effects are included that may arise from patients receiving novel treatments or from longer survival with multiple lines of treatment.

The core symptom in multiple myeloma patients undergoing chemotherapy: a network analysis

BACKGROUND

During chemotherapy for multiple myeloma, symptoms include those related to the disease, as well as adverse effects of the treatment. Few studies have explored the relationships between these symptoms. Network analysis could identify the core symptom in the symptom network.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to explore the core symptom in multiple myeloma patients undergoing chemotherapy.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study in which sequential sampling was used to recruit 177 participants from Hunan, China. Demographic and clinical characteristics were surveyed using a self-developed instrument. The symptoms of chemotherapy-treated multiple myeloma, including pain, fatigue, worry, nausea, and vomiting, were measured using a questionnaire with good reliability and validity. The mean ± SD, frequency, and percentages were used as descriptive statistics. Network analysis was used to estimate the correlation between symptoms.

RESULTS

The results showed that 70% of multiple myeloma patients using chemotherapy exhibited pain. In the network analysis, worrying was the dominant symptom, and the strongest relationship was between nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy-treated multiple myeloma patients' symptoms.

CONCLUSION

Worrying is the core symptom of multiple myeloma patients. Interventions could be most effective if there is a symptom management focus on worrying when providing care to chemotherapy-treated multiple myeloma patients. Nausea combined with vomiting could be better managed, which would decrease the cost of health care. Understanding the relationship between the symptoms of multiple myeloma patients undergoing chemotherapy is beneficial for precise symptom management.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE

Nurses and health care teams should be a priority to intervene in the worrying for chemotherapy-treated multiple myeloma patients to maximize the effectiveness of an intervention. Except, nausea and vomiting should be managed together in a clinical setting.

Listening to what matters most: Consumer endorsed patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) for use in multiple myeloma clinical trials: a descriptive exploratory study

BACKGROUND

Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) experience some of the highest levels of symptom burden of all hematological malignancies. Therefore, assessment of quality of life (QoL) is critical for the delivery of patient-centered cancer care. Patient reported outcome measures (PROMs) are commonly used to measure QoL in people with MM. However, it is unknown whether measures used, are appropriate and informative to address issues that matter most to patients.

AIM

This exploratory study was designed to establish consumer endorsed PROMs to measure QoL in people with MM.

METHOD

This was a descriptive, exploratory study. Participants were invited to provide feedback on the acceptability, appropriateness, and practicability of ten commonly used PROMs via telephone-based, semi-structured interviews and surveys. Data were analyzed using a manifest content analysis approach and descriptive statistics.

RESULTS

26 individuals participated in the study. Participants emphasized the importance of selecting a suite of PROMs that captures the diversity of quality-of-life experiences and priorities reported over the course of treatment, while minimizing the burden of completing PROMs. Based on these criteria, a suite of three PROMs - the MyPOS, the Brief Fatigue Inventory, and COST-FACIT were endorsed by study participants.

CONCLUSION

To our knowledge, this is the first study of its kind to establish a suite of consumer-endorsed PROMs for use in clinical trials in patients with MM. Ensuring that the patient voice is at the center of advances in cancer treatment is a hallmark of quality cancer care.

Association of patient activity bio-profiles with health-related quality of life in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: a prospective observational cohort study

Background

Due to the nature of their disease, patients with multiple myeloma (MM) often have bone disease-related pain that limits physical activity and diminishes health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Digital health technology with wearables and electronic patient reported outcome (ePRO) tools can provide insights into MM HRQoL.

Methods

In this prospective observational cohort study conducted at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer in NY, NY, USA, patients with newly diagnosed MM (n = 40) in two cohorts (Cohort A - patients <65 years; Cohort B - patients ≥65 years) were passively remote-monitored for physical activity at baseline and continuously for up to 6 cycles of induction therapy from Feb 20, 2017 to Sep 10, 2019. The primary endpoint of the study was to determine feasibility of continuous data capture, defined as 13 or more patients of each 20-patient cohort compliant with capturing data for ≥16 h of a 24-hr period in ≥60% of days of ≥4 induction cycles. Secondary aims explored activity trends with treatment and association to ePRO outcomes. Patients completed ePRO surveys (EORTC - QLQC30 and MY20) at baseline and after each cycle. Associations between physical activity measurements, QLQC30 and MY20 scores, and time from the start of treatment were estimated using a linear mixed model with a random intercept.

Findings

Forty patients were enrolled onto study, and activity bioprofiles were compiled among 24/40 (60%) wearable user participants (wearing the device for at least one cycle). In an intention to treat feasibility analysis, 21/40 (53%) patients [12/20 (60%) Cohort A; 9/20 (45%) Cohort B] had continuous data capture. Among data captured, overall activity trended upward cycle over cycle for the entire study cohort (+179 steps/24 h per cycle; p = 0.0014, 95% CI: 68-289). Older patients (age ≥65 years) had higher increases in activity (+260 steps/24 h per cycle; p < 0.0001, 95% CI: -154 to 366) compared to younger patients (+116 steps/24 h per cycle; p = 0.21, 95% CI: -60 to 293). Activity trends associated with improvement of ePRO domains, including physical functioning scores (p < 0.0001), global health scores (p = 0.02), and declining disease burden symptom scores (p = 0.042).

Interpretation

Our study demonstrates that feasibility of passive wearable monitoring is challenging in a newly diagnosed MM patient population due to patient use. However, overall continuous data capture monitoring remains high among willing user participants. As therapy is initiated, we show improving activity trends, mainly in older patients, and that activity bioprofiles correlate with traditional HRQOL measurements.

Funding

Grants -National Institutes of HealthP30 CA 008748, Awards - Kroll Award 2019.

High patient satisfaction and increased physical activity following a remote multidisciplinary team multiple myeloma clinic

PURPOSE

Patients with multiple myeloma suffer from disease-related complications such as bone destruction, toxicities from repeated therapies and age-related co-morbidities. With improved treatment options, patients are living longer and have specific survivorship needs such as low exercise levels that need to be addressed. In this study, we designed, implemented and evaluated a multidisciplinary team (MDT) myeloma clinic that provided participants with tailored exercise and lifestyle advice.

METHODS

The Promoting Individualised Self-Management and Survivorship (PrISMS) clinic was set up in two UK myeloma centres. This remote MDT clinic comprised of a doctor, a nurse specialist and a physiotherapist. Patients were required to complete blood tests and a questionnaire about their symptoms and concerns before each consultation. Patient-reported outcome measures were captured using validated questionnaires. Patient feedback was collected using a specially designed survey and structured telephone interviews.

RESULTS

Sixty-one patients were enrolled in the pilot clinic with 210 consultations held during the study period. Nine patients had disease progression and were referred safely back to face-to-face clinics. There was a significant improvement in patients' exercise score (p = 0.02) after PrISMS clinic. Patient satisfaction was high, with 83% feeling more confident in self-managing myeloma after PrISMS clinic.

CONCLUSION

PrISMS clinic is safe and feasible, with high patient compliant and acceptability. It empowers patients to self-manage their condition and encourages physical activity, which is associated with improved quality of life and fatigue level. Future randomised controlled trials will help to confirm its benefits on patient clinical outcomes and cost-effectiveness.

The Reporting, Use, and Validity of Patient-Reported Outcomes in Multiple Myeloma in Clinical Trials: A Systematic Literature Review

BACKGROUND

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are becoming increasingly important in supporting clinical outcomes in clinical trials. In multiple myeloma (MM), PRO measurement is useful to reveal how treatment affects physical, psychosocial, and functional behaviour as well as symptoms and treatment-related adverse events to evaluate the benefit-risk ratio of a particular drug or drug combination. We report the types of PRO instruments used in MM, the frequency in which they are utilised in randomised controlled trials (RCTs), and the consistency of their reporting.

METHODS

The European Hematology Association (EHA) supports the development of guidelines for the use of PROs in adult patients with haematological malignancies. The first step is the present systematic review of the literature. MEDLINE and CENTRAL were searched for RCTs in MM between 2015 and 2020. Study design, characteristics of MM and its treatment, the primary outcomes, and the types of PRO instrument(s) were extracted using a predefined template. Additionally, in a stepwise approach, it was assessed whether the identified instruments had been validated for multiple myeloma patients, patients with haematological malignancies, or cancer patients.

RESULTS

Following screening for RCTs, 283 studies were included for review from 10,707 records retrieved, and 118 of these planned the use of PRO measures. Thirty-eight PRO instruments were reported. The most frequently used instrument (92 studies) was the EORTC QLQ-30. The EORTC-MY20 MM-specific questionnaire was the second most frequently used (50 studies), together with the EQ-5D (50 studies). Only 19 PRO instruments reported were consistent with the trial registry. Furthermore, in 58 publications, the information on PRO instruments differed between the publication and the trial registry. Further, information on PRO in HTA reports was available for 26 studies, of which 18 reports were consistent with the trial registries. Out of the 38 instruments used, six had been validated for patients with multiple myeloma (the most frequently used), six for patients with haematological malignancies, and 10 for cancer patients in general.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings indicate that the measurement of PROs in RCTs for MM is underutilised, underreported, and often inconsistent. Guidelines for the appropriate use of PROs in MM are needed to ensure standardisation in selection and reporting. Furthermore, not all PRO instruments identified have been validated for myeloma patients or patients with haematological malignancies. Thus, guidelines for the appropriate use and reporting of PROs are needed in MM to ensure standardisation in the selection and reporting of PROs.

Association of IMWG frailty score with health-related quality of life profile of patients with relapsed refractory multiple myeloma in Italy and the UK: a GIMEMA, multicentre, cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The clinical management of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma is challenging and there is a paucity of tools to help clinicians make more informed decisions for the most suitable treatment options. We aimed to investigate the clinical utility of the International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) frailty score in the setting of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, by examining its ability to capture different patient-reported health-related quality of life profiles.

METHODS

We did a cross-sectional analysis of a prospective observational study of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma in Italy and the UK (30 hospitals across northern, central, and southern Italy, and one hospital in London, UK). Inclusion criteria were age 18 years or older and patients who had received at least one previous line of therapy and no more than five lines. Participants were excluded if they had a psychiatric disorder or major cognitive dysfunction, or any grade 3 or higher adverse event within 2 weeks before study entry. On study initiation, physicians had to assess frailty according to the IMWG criteria, which included the Charlson Comorbidity Index, the Katz Activity of Daily Living, and the Lawton Instrumental Activities of Daily Living. Patients were asked to complete patient-reported outcome measures, including the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and its validated multiple myeloma module (QLQ-MY20). A multivariable linear regression model was used to assess the mean differences in health-related quality of life scores between frailty groups to account for key potential confounding factors.

FINDINGS

Overall, between Nov 13, 2017, and Nov 15, 2021, 415 patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, with a median age of 69·8 years (IQR 62·8-75·2) were enrolled. The median time since diagnosis was 4·4 years (IQR 2·5-7·1) and most patients (351 [85%]) had received at least two previous lines of therapy. According to the IMWG frailty score, 200 (48%) were classified as fit, 112 (27%) were classified as intermediate-fit, and 103 (25%) patients were classified as frail. Each frailty group was associated with a distinct health-related quality of life profile, with most notable differences between fit and frail patients. The largest clinically meaningful adjusted differences between fit and frail patients by the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire were observed for physical functioning (Δ=-19·0 [95% CI -25·6 to -12·5; p<0·0001), fatigue (Δ=16·7 [9·7 to 23·7]; p<0·0001), insomnia (Δ=13·4 [4·1 to 22·6]; p=0·0047), and dyspnoea (Δ=12·5 [4·6 to 20·4]; p=0·0021). The most prevalent clinically important symptom in the overall population was pain; however, its prevalence varied between IMWG frailty groups at 70·9% in frail patients, 55·9% in intermediate-fit patients, and 50·5% in fit patients.

INTERPRETATION

Our findings show the clinical utility of the IMWG frailty score in the setting of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma, in helping to distinguish between groups of patients with distinct health-related quality of life profiles. Further research is needed to examine the value of patient-reported outcome data in improving assessment of frailty in the setting of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.

FUNDING

Fondazione GIMEMA Franco Mandelli Onlus and Amgen.

Effect of therapeutic regimens and polypharmacy on health-related quality of life of people with multiple myeloma: a cross-sectional study in Belo Horizonte, Brazil

OBJECTIVE

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable hematological cancer and its treatment is geared to promote better Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQoL). We aimed to assess HRQoL and compare scores between variables on therapeutic regimens and polypharmacy in MM patients.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study was performed from April/2019 to February/2020 in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. HRQoL scores were obtained by the QLQ-C30 and QLQ-MY20 instruments. Data were retrieved from interviews and medical records. Therapeutic regimens were grouped into thalidomide-containing regimens; bortezomib-containing regimens; bortezomib and thalidomide-containing regimens; other therapeutic regimens, and remission group. We performed univariate analyses by the Mann-Whitney method and adopted the Kruskal-Wallis test for multiple comparisons. Robust multiple linear regression was used to determine the association between independent variables and the HRQoL scores.

RESULTS

The sample included 225 participants and most patients (65.3%) were on active treatment and had worse scores concerning future perspective. Polypharmacy was associated with worse scores on all scales in the univariate analyses. We observed a difference in the global health and body image (p < .05) scales in the multiple comparisons with therapeutic regimens. The global health scale difference was found between groups with other regimens and the remission group (p < .05). The difference between the bortezomib and thalidomide-containing regimens and remission group was not statistically significant (p = .077) in the body image scale. The multiple linear regression maintained the association of polypharmacy with worse HRQoL scores.

CONCLUSION

We identified an independent association between HRQoL and polypharmacy in MM patients. However, there was no difference between the evaluated regimens, suggesting they are equivalent in Brazil about HRQoL.

Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients with Skeletal-Related Events and Abnormal MRI Pattern Have Poor Survival Outcomes: A Prospective Study on 370 Patients

Contemporary information is sparse on the frequency of skeletal-related events (SREs) in multiple myeloma (MM) patients at a population-based level in the era of novel agents. In this context, we conducted this single-center, prospective, observational study to determine the incidence of SREs among newly diagnosed MMs (NDMM) and to explore the possible correlations with disease characteristics, imaging finding, and patient prognosis. A total of 370 patients with available baseline MRIs were included. Among them, 208 (56%) presented with at least one SRE at diagnosis. Fractures were the most common reported SREs (48%). The incidence of SREs at diagnosis was higher in patients with osteolytic lesions, abnormal MRI pattern, hypercalcemia, and at least 60% bone marrow infiltration by plasma cells. Importantly, the patients with normal MRI pattern, who did not present with SREs at diagnosis, had statistically significant improved median OS in comparison with the patients who had abnormal MRI patterns and/or the presence of SREs at diagnosis (9.3 vs. 6.6 years, p = 0.048). Our data, which represent one of a few systematic reports on the incidence and characteristics of SREs in the era of novel agents, was indicative of a high incidence of SREs at the time of MM diagnosis. Early detection of myeloma bone disease and tailored patient management are essential to optimize patient outcomes.

Health-related quality of life in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma treated with pomalidomide and dexamethasone ± subcutaneous daratumumab: Patient-reported outcomes from the APOLLO trial

In the phase 3 APOLLO trial, daratumumab in combination with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (D-Pd) significantly reduced the rate of disease progression or death by 37% relative to Pd alone in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) who had received ≥1 prior line of therapy including lenalidomide and a proteasome inhibitor. Here, we present patient-reported outcomes (PROs) from APOLLO. Median treatment duration was 11.5 months with D-Pd and 6.6 months with Pd. PRO compliance rates were high and similar in both groups. No changes from baseline were observed for EORTC QLQ-C30 global health status scores in either group, while physical and emotional functioning, disease symptoms, and adverse effects of treatment remained at baseline levels with D-Pd but worsened with Pd. Reductions (p < 0.05) in pain and fatigue were seen at several time points with D-Pd versus Pd. Overall, these results suggest patients' health-related quality of life remained stable when daratumumab was added to Pd, with several results favoring D-Pd versus Pd. These findings complement the significant clinical improvements observed with D-Pd and support its use in patients with RRMM.

Health-related quality of life with idecabtagene vicleucel in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma

Idecabtagene vicleucel (ide-cel), a B-cell maturation antigen-directed chimeric antigen receptor T cell therapy, showed deep, durable responses in patients with triple-class exposed, relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) in the phase 2 KarMMa (Efficacy and Safety Study of bb2121 in Subjects With Relapsed and Refractory Multiple Myeloma) trial. We assessed health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among KarMMa patients. The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life C30 Questionnaire and its supplementary 20-item multiple myeloma module, as well as the EuroQol 5-dimension 5-level instrument, were administered at screening, baseline (≤72 hours before or same day as lymphodepletion), day of ide-cel treatment, and after ide-cel treatment. Mean changes from baseline that exceeded the predetermined threshold of minimally important difference were deemed clinically meaningful. The proportions of patients experiencing clinically meaningful changes in HRQoL were assessed using within-patient change thresholds. Time to stable improvement (≥2 consecutive visits with clinically meaningful HRQoL improvements) was analyzed by using the Kaplan-Meier method. A total of 126 (98%) of 128 patients treated with ide-cel were included in the HRQoL analysis. Pretreatment baseline RRMM burden was high and meaningfully worse than that in the age- and sex-weighted general population. Statistically significant and clinically meaningful improvements from baseline were observed by month 1 for pain (-8.9) and disease symptoms (-10.2), and by month 2 for fatigue (-7.2), physical functioning (6.1), cognitive functioning (6.7), and global health status/QoL (8.0). Clinically meaningful improvements in fatigue, pain, and physical functioning were most prominent at months 9, 12, and 18, respectively, and were sustained through 15 to 18 months after ide-cel treatment. For triple-class exposed patients with RRMM with a poor prognosis and few treatment options, a single ide-cel infusion provides early, sustained, statistically significant, and clinically meaningful improvements in HRQoL. This study was registered at Clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT03361748.

An Individualized Exercise Intervention for People with Multiple Myeloma—Study Protocol of a Randomized Waitlist-Controlled Trial

People with multiple myeloma (MM) are second only to people with lung cancer for the poorest reported health-related quality of life (HRQoL) of all cancer types. Whether exercise can improve HRQoL in MM, where bone pain and lesions are common, requires investigation. This trial aims to evaluate the efficacy of an exercise intervention compared with control on HRQoL in people with MM. Following baseline testing, people with MM (n = 60) will be randomized to an exercise (EX) or waitlist control (WT) group. EX will complete 12-weeks of supervised (24 sessions) and unsupervised (12 sessions) individualized, modular multimodal exercise training. From weeks 12–52, EX continue unsupervised training thrice weekly, with one optional supervised group-based session weekly from weeks 12–24. The WT will be asked to maintain their current activity levels for the first 12-weeks, before completing the same protocol as EX for the following 52 weeks. Primary (patient-reported HRQoL) and secondary (bone health and pain, fatigue, cardiorespiratory fitness, muscle strength, body composition, disease response, and blood biomarkers) outcomes will be assessed at baseline, 12-, 24- and 52-weeks. Adverse events, attendance, and adherence will be recorded and cost-effectiveness analysis performed. The findings will inform whether exercise should be included as part of standard myeloma care to improve the health of this unique population.

Prevention of Bortezomib-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Newly Multiple Myeloma Patients Using Nervonic Acid, Curcuma Rizoma, and L-Arginine Compound: A Pilot Study

INTRODUCTION

This is a phase II pilot study to evaluate the efficacy of a nutraceutical compound composed of nervonic acid, curcuma rizoma, and l-Arginine to prevent the onset of bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy (BIPN) in 16 newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients treated with bortezomib (BTZ) over 6 months.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Assessments included neurological examination and electroneurography, Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (NCI-CTCAE), reduced version of Total Neuropathic Score (TNSr), pain evaluation, functional autonomy scales, self-perceived symptoms and quality of life questionnaires at baseline and after 6 months.

RESULTS

No patients were symptomatic at baseline, despite neurophysiological data and TNSr evidence of peripheral neuropathy (PN) in 11 of them. After 6 months, only 9 patients completed the study. All had modifications in neurological examination with 8 out of 9 showing neurophysiological data of PN (2 of which had a NCI-CTCAE grade of neurotoxicity ≥2); 4 patients dropped out due to BIPN, 2 because of MM progression, 1 for scarce compliance.

DISCUSSION

In our study, the compound was not adequate to prevent BIPN. The incidence of subclinical PN in MM patients is a risk factor for the development of severe neurotoxicity during BTZ treatment. For this reason to evaluate the efficacy of any preventive compound, as well as to manage MM patients, it should be mandatory to include neurophysiological study as a standard procedure.

Development of the Multiple Myeloma Symptom and Impact Questionnaire: A New Patient-Reported Outcome Instrument to Assess Symptom and Impacts in Patients With Multiple Myeloma

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to develop and assess the content validity of a patient-reported outcomes (PROs) instrument to measure symptoms and impacts experienced by patients with active multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODS

The PRO instrument was developed using an iterative, mixed-methods approach. The list of concepts was generated based on a review of existing evidence (qualitative studies and literature) and post hoc psychometric evaluations of 2 PRO instruments in 3 clinical trials. A total of 30 adult patients with MM from the United States participated in hybrid concept elicitation/cognitive debriefing interviews to validate the content validity of the newly developed PRO instrument. Translatability assessment was completed in 8 languages.

RESULTS

The item generation process resulted in 17 symptom and 9 impact concepts for evaluation. The concept elicitation interviews and analysis were based on the first 25 participants; evidence of saturation was observed. The cognitive debriefing interviews and analysis were based on the last 23 participants across 4 waves of interviews. On the basis patient feedback, 10 items were removed, and 1 item was added to the PRO instrument. The translatability assessment resulted in 1 minor revision. The multiple myeloma symptom and impact questionnaire (MySIm-Q) includes 11 symptom and 6 impact concepts, organized within 8 hypothesized subdomains, with each concept measured using a 5-point verbal rating scale and a 7-day recall period.

CONCLUSIONS

The MySIm-Q instrument was developed using rigorous and mixed methodology and with direct input from patients who received a diagnosis of MM. The MySIm-Q has good content validity and is culturally relevant for use in global clinical trials.

Carfilzomib and dexamethasone maintenance following salvage ASCT in multiple myeloma: A randomised phase 2 trial by the Nordic Myeloma Study Group

Objective

We investigated the efficacy and safety of carfilzomib‐containing induction before salvage high‐dose melphalan with autologous stem‐cell transplantation (salvage ASCT) and maintenance with carfilzomib and dexamethasone after salvage ASCT in multiple myeloma.

Methods

This randomised, open‐label, phase 2 trial included patients with first relapse of multiple myeloma after upfront ASCT who were re‐induced with four cycles of carfilzomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone. Two months after salvage, ASCT patients were randomised to either observation or maintenance therapy with iv carfilzomib 27 → 56 mg/sqm and p.o. dexamethasone 20 mg every second week. The study enrolled 200 patients of which 168 were randomised to either maintenance with carfilzomib and dexamethasone (n = 82) or observation (n = 86).

Results

Median time to progression (TTP) after randomisation was 25.1 months (22.5‐NR) in the carfilzomib‐dexamethasone maintenance group and 16.7 months (14.4–21.8) in the control group (HR 0.46, 95% CI 0.30–0.71; P = .0004). The most common adverse events during maintenance were thrombocytopenia, anaemia, hypertension, dyspnoea and bacterial infections.

Conclusion

In summary, maintenance therapy with carfilzomib and dexamethasone after salvage ASCT prolonged TTP with 8 months. The maintenance treatment was in general well‐tolerated with manageable toxicity.

An Improved Animal Model of Multiple Myeloma Bone Disease

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell malignancy that causes an accumulation of terminally differentiated monoclonal plasma cells in the bone marrow, accompanied by multiple myeloma bone disease (MMBD). MM animal models have been developed and enable to interrogate the mechanism of MM tumorigenesis. However, these models demonstrate little or no evidence of MMBD. We try to establish the MMBD model with severe bone lesions and easily accessible MM progression. 1 × 106 luciferase-expressing 5TGM1 cells were injected into 8-12 week-old NOD SCID gamma mouse (NSG) and C57BL/KaLwRij mouse via the tail vein. Myeloma progression was assessed weekly via in vivo bioluminescence (BL) imaging using IVIS-200. The spine and femur/tibia were extracted and scanned by the micro-computer tomography for bone histo-morphometric analyses at the postmortem. The median survivals were 56 days in NSG while 44.5 days in C57BL/KaLwRij agreed with the BL imaging results. Histomorphic and DEXA analyses demonstrated that NSG mice have severe bone resorption that occurred at the lumbar spine but no significance at the femur compared to C57BL/KaLwRij mice. Based on these, we conclude that the systemic 5TGM1 injected NSG mouse slowly progresses myeloma and develops more severe MMBD than the C57BL/KaLwRij model.

Phase II clinical trial of personalized VCD-VTD sequential therapy using the Vulnerable Elders Survey-13 (VES-13) for transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

The Vulnerable Elders Survey-13 (VES-13) is a well-studied simplified frailty screening tool for elderly patients in the oncology setting. We conducted a prospective clinical trial to evaluate the efficacy and safety of dose-adjusted treatment based on the VES-13 in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). In the Fit group (VES-13 <3), patients were treated with 4 cycles of standard-dose VCD (bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone) followed by 4 cycles of standard-dose VTD (bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone). In the Frail group (VES-13 ≥3), patients were treated with 4 cycles of reduced-dose VCD followed by 4 cycles of reduced-dose VTD. The median age was 75 years (66-86 years), and 34% of the cases were classified as PS 3. Among the Fit group (n=16), the overall response rate (ORR) was 87.5%. Among the Frail group (n=31), the ORR was 87.1%. There were no significant differences in progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) between the Fit and Frail groups (3-year PFS: 68.8% vs 53.3%, P = 0.658; 3-year OS: 70.0% vs 77.6%, P = 0.919). Personalized VCD-VTD sequential therapy based on the VES-13 was associated with high response rates and showed acceptable safety in elderly frail patients with MM. The study is registered as UMIN000011235.

Health-related quality of life in transplant eligible multiple myeloma patients with or without early ASCT in the real-world setting

There is no comparative health-related quality of life (HR-QoL) data of transplant eligible (TE) multiple myeloma (MM) patients undergoing early autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and those without in the era of novel drugs. This study prospectively evaluated the serial HR-QoL in TE-MM using the EORTC QLQ-C30 and MY20 questionnaires. Barring the transient worsening in QoL one-month after ASCT, there was a comparable improvement in most QoL domains in both early-ASCT and no-early ASCT cohorts. Post-early-ASCT patients had higher global health scores (71.9 vs. 60.8, p < .05) than no-early ASCT at 12-months. Patients belonging to lower socioeconomic status (SES) were more likely not to undergo ASCT than middle-high SES patients (38.6% vs. 74.5%, p < .05). While age, gender had no impact on QoL, performance status, staging, and induction therapy impacted QoL. This study shows that early ASCT maintains QoL and should be encouraged in all TE-MM patients.

Validity and reliability of the QLQ-MY20 module for assessing the health-related quality of life in Brazilians with multiple myeloma

PURPOSE

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a rare but treatable hematological cancer, which makes the health-related quality of life (HRQoL) an important patient-report outcome measure in clinical studies. The Quality of Life Questionnaire Multiple Myeloma Module (QLQ-MY20) was developed by the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) to measure HRQoL in people with MM. However, the Brazilian Portuguese version of QLQ-MY20 has not yet been validated for Brazil. This study aimed to evaluate the validity and reliability of the instrument for application in Brazilian patients with MM.

METHODS

This is a cross-sectional methodological study with patients seen in health services in Belo Horizonte, Brazil. The variables were collected through face-to-face interviews with the QLQ-MY20 instrument and complemented with data from medical records. Content validity analyses (content validity coefficient [CVC]; correctness ratio), convergent and divergent validity (Spearman's correlation coefficient [CC]), internal consistency, and temporal reproducibility (test-retest; intraclass correlation coefficient [ICC]) were performed.

RESULTS

225 patients were included and 71.1% were older than 60. The analysis of the judging committee showed adequate content validity. We observed mainly a good internal consistency of the items and good discrimination power in the convergent and divergent validity. High ICC values were observed through the test-retest, and there was no difference in the scores between the two moments, which shows good temporal stability of the instrument.

CONCLUSION

The study allowed us to conclude that the Brazilian version of the QLQ-MY20 module is valid and reliable, and thus suitable for application in Brazilians living with MM.

Panobinostat From Bench to Bedside: Rethinking the Treatment Paradigm for Multiple Myeloma

Relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) presents a therapeutic challenge due to the development of drug resistance. Panobinostat is an oral histone deacetylase inhibitor (HDACi) that affects multiple cellular pathways and has demonstrated the ability to resensitize refractory-multiple myeloma cells in preclinical studies, as well as in patients with RRMM in clinical trials. Synergy of panobinostat with a number of different classes of antimyeloma drugs (proteasome inhibitors, immunomodulatory drugs and monoclonal antibodies) has also been shown. Panobinostat is a promising HDACi for the treatment of multiple myeloma. Here, we present a comprehensive review of preclinical and clinical studies of panobinostat.

Isatuximab, carfilzomib, and dexamethasone in relapsed multiple myeloma (IKEMA): a multicentre, open-label, randomised phase 3 trial

BACKGROUND

Isatuximab is an anti-CD38 monoclonal antibody approved in combination with pomalidomide-dexamethasone and carfilzomib-dexamethasone for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. This phase 3, open-label study compared the efficacy of isatuximab plus carfilzomib-dexamethasone versus carfilzomib-dexamethasone in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.

METHODS

This was a prospective, randomised, open-label, parallel-group, phase 3 study done at 69 study centres in 16 countries across North America, South America, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region. Patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma aged at least 18 years who had received one to three previous lines of therapy and had measurable serum or urine M-protein were eligible. Patients were randomly assigned (3:2) to isatuximab plus carfilzomib-dexamethasone (isatuximab group) or carfilzomib-dexamethasone (control group). Patients in the isatuximab group received isatuximab 10 mg/kg intravenously weekly for the first 4 weeks, then every 2 weeks. Both groups received the approved schedule of intravenous carfilzomib and oral or intravenous dexamethasone. Treatment continued until progression or unacceptable toxicity. The primary endpoint was progression-free survival and was assessed in the intention-to-treat population according to assigned treatment. Safety was assessed in all patients who received at least one dose according to treatment received. The study is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT03275285.

FINDINGS

Between Nov 15, 2017, and March 21, 2019, 302 patients with a median of two previous lines of therapy were enrolled. 179 were randomly assigned to the isatuximab group and 123 to the control group. Median progression-free survival was not reached in the isatuximab group compared with 19·15 months (95% CI 15·77-not reached) in the control group, with a hazard ratio of 0·53 (99% CI 0·32-0·89; one-sided p=0·0007). Treatment-emergent adverse events (TEAEs) of grade 3 or worse occurred in 136 (77%) of 177 patients in the isatuximab group versus 82 (67%) of 122 in the control group, serious TEAEs occurred in 105 (59%) versus 70 (57%) patients, and TEAEs led to discontinuation in 15 (8%) versus 17 (14%) patients. Fatal TEAEs during study treatment occurred in six (3%) versus four (3%) patients.

INTERPRETATION

The addition of isatuximab to carfilzomib-dexamethasone significantly improves progression-free survival and depth of response in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma, representing a new standard of care for this patient population.

FUNDING

Sanofi. VIDEO ABSTRACT.

Physical, emotional and social pain communication by patients diagnosed and living with multiple myeloma

Aim: To describe physical, social and emotional aspects of pain self-reported by patients with multiple myeloma (MM), and patient-physician communication of physical pain. Materials & methods: We analyzed self-reported data from 330 adults receiving anti-MM therapy in Germany and Italy on health-related quality of life (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core-30 Questionnaire version 3, -MY20) and bone pain symptoms. Results: Patients experienced clinically important physical (69%), emotional (58%) and social (22%) pain. Less than three-quarters of physicians' records matched patients' perception of bone pain (71.5%), with bone pain not recorded in 19.7% of patients experiencing it. Nearly half of physicians underestimated bone pain severity. Conclusion: Patients with MM experience physical, social and emotional pain. Discordance regarding bone pain symptoms and severity was observed, suggesting the need for improved communication.

Patient-reported pain severity and health-related quality of life in patients with multiple myeloma in real world clinical practice

BACKGROUND

The association between patient self-reported pain severity and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) is poorly understood.

AIMS

This real-world study of symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM) patients sought to determine how pain severity from a single question asked during routine clinical consultation was associated with HRQoL.

METHODS AND RESULTS

Point-in-time data on HRQoL of 330 patients with MM (median age 70 years) receiving anti-myeloma therapy in Germany and Italy from November 2017 through February 2018 were analyzed. HRQoL was assessed using validated questionnaires (Work Productivity and Activity Impairment [WPAI], European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire -C30 and -MY20). Physical pain severity was assessed during clinical consultation by a single question, asking patients to describe their pain as "no pain," "mild," "moderate," or "severe." Associations between patient-reported pain severity and HRQoL scores were assessed by analysis of variance or χ² tests. Ninety-six of the 330 patients (29.1%) reported moderate to severe pain. Increase in pain severity, from "no" to "severe" pain, was associated with significantly decreased overall HRQoL (mean score 70.2 to 33.3); significant decreases in levels of physical (82.7 to 35.1), social (81.1 to 44.4), emotional (78.1 to 48.3), and role functioning (79.5 to 38.9); and increased levels of WPAI usual activity impairment (35.4 to 71.4), and fatigue burden (26.0 to 68.9) (all p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Higher pain severity, based on a single self-report question, was associated with poorer HRQoL in patients with MM, thereby supporting the clinical relevance of directly asking patients to self-evaluate their pain severity.

Trajectory of Symptoms in Patients Undergoing Autologous Stem Cell Transplant for Multiple Myeloma: A Population-Based Cohort Study of Patient-Reported Outcomes

BACKGROUND

Autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) is an established treatment for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). Understanding the symptom burden associated with ASCT may be an important consideration for patients with NDMM when selecting treatment options.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

We conducted a population-based study of patients who underwent an ASCT for NDMM in Ontario, Canada, between 2007 and 2018. The patient-reported outcome, Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS) score, which captures nine common cancer-associated symptoms and is routinely collected at all outpatient visits, was linked to provincial administrative healthcare data. The monthly prevalence of moderate or severe symptoms (ESAS ≥ 4) each month in the first year following ASCT was analyzed. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to identify factors associated with moderate to severe symptoms.

RESULTS

In our final cohort of 1969 patients who had undergone an ASCT, a total of 12,820 unique assessments were captured. Symptom burden was highest at 1 month post-ASCT, with moderate to severe tiredness and impaired well-being being the two most common symptoms. Symptom burden substantially improved by 3 months post-ASCT, reaching a new baseline for the year following. On multivariable analysis, female sex, increased co-morbidities, earlier year of diagnosis, and myeloma-related end-organ damage (specifically, bone and kidney disease) were associated with a higher odds of reporting moderate to severe symptoms.

CONCLUSION

In this large population-based study using patient-reported outcomes, there was a substantial burden of symptoms noted among NDMM patients 1 month post-ASCT, which improved over time. Tailored supportive care interventions should focus on strategies to optimize management of identified symptoms.

Prevalence of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy in Multiple Myeloma Patients and its Impact on Quality of Life: A Single Center Cross-Sectional Study

Bortezomib is a pivotal drug for the management of multiple myeloma. However, bortezomib is a neurotoxic anticancer drug responsible for chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN). CIPN is associated with psychological distress and a decrease of health-related quality of life (HRQoL), but little is known regarding bortezomib-related CIPN. This single center, cross-sectional study assessed the prevalence and severity of sensory/motor CIPN, neuropathic pain and ongoing pain medications, anxiety, depression, and HRQoL, in multiple myeloma patients after the end of bortezomib treatment. Paper questionnaires were sent to patients to record the scores of sensory and motor CIPNs (QLQ-CIPN20), neuropathic pain (visual analogue scale and DN4 interview), anxiety and depression (HADS), the scores of HRQoL (QLQ-C30 and QLQ-MY20) and ongoing pain medications. Oncological data were recorded using chemotherapy prescription software and patient medical records. The prevalence of sensory CIPN was 26.9% (95% CI 16.7; 39.1) among the 67 patients analyzed and for a mean time of 2.9 ± 2.8 years since the last bortezomib administration. The proportion of sensory CIPN was higher among patients treated by intravenous and subcutaneous routes than intravenous or subcutaneous routes (p = 0.003). QLQ-CIPN20 motor scores were higher for patients with a sensory CIPN than those without (p < 0.001) and were correlated with the duration of treatment and the cumulative dose of bortezomib (coefficient: 0.31 and 0.24, p = 0.01 and 0.0475, respectively), but not sensory scores. Neuropathic pain was screened in 44.4% of patients with sensory CIPN and 66.7% of them had ongoing pain medications, but none were treated with duloxetine (recommended drug). Multivariable analysis revealed that thalidomide treatment (odds-ratio: 6.7, 95% CI 1.3; 35.5, p = 0.03) and both routes of bortezomib administration (odds-ratio: 13.4, 95% CI 1.3; 139.1, p = 0.03) were associated with sensory CIPN. Sensory and motor CIPNs were associated with anxiety, depression, and deterioration of HRQoL. Sensory CIPN was identified in a quarter of patients after bortezomib treatment and associated with psychological distress that was far from being treated optimally. There is a need to improve the management of patients with CIPN, which may include better training of oncologists regarding its diagnosis and pharmacological treatment.

Validation of the Short-Form Survivor Unmet Needs Survey in older patients with myeloma

BACKGROUND

Multiple myeloma (MM) affects mainly the older population and is the second most prevalent haematologic cancer. MM patients' unmet needs are diverse, arise at different stages, and are associated with greater psychological distress. This study examined the psychometric properties of the Short-Form Survivor Unmet Needs Survey (SF-SUNS) in Portuguese MM patients.

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included 213 MM patients. The internal consistency of the scale was analyzed with Cronbach's α. Principal component analysis and confirmatory factor analysis were used to assess construct validity. Convergent validity was examined by using correlations with quality of life, satisfaction with social support, and psychological morbidity. Multiple regression analyses were conducted to explore the contribution of sociodemographic and clinical variables to unmet needs.

RESULTS

The Portuguese SF-SUNS's factor structure follows the original's structure, although it includes fewer items. For each domain, Cronbach's α was ≤0.70, the minimum acceptable criterion. For construct validity, only unmet relationship and emotional needs had significant correlations (r ≥ 0.40)-specifically negative associations with quality of life and social support and positive associations with psychological morbidity. Regarding patient variables and SF-SUNS results, only cancer stage contributed significantly to unmet information needs, with patients at stage I reporting more needs than patients at stage III.

CONCLUSIONS

The SF-SUNS represents a valid and reliable tool to assess unmet needs among Portuguese MM patients. It may be useful in designing and monitoring interventions to improve well-being in cancer survivors.

Comparison of efficacy, safety, patients' quality of life, and doctors' occupational stress between lenalidomide-based and bortezomib-based induction in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND

In the new therapeutic era, comparisons between regimens containing lenalidomide and bortezomib are needed.

METHODS

In this single-center, prospective study, patients received four to six cycles of lenalidomide+liposomal doxorubicin+dexamethasone (RAD) or bortezomib+liposomal doxorubicin+dexamethasone (PAD) every 4 weeks, with subsequent autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and maintenance therapy. We compared the efficacy, safety, patients' quality of life, and doctors' occupational stress between RAD and PAD induction in newly diagnosed MM patients.

RESULTS

The complete response (CR) rate was comparable between the RAD and PAD groups after induction (30.8% vs. 32.0%, p = 0.92). Common adverse events, including infections, peripheral neuropathy, and gastrointestinal disturbances, were more frequent in the PAD group, while leukopenia and rashes were more common in the RAD group. Compared with PAD, RAD improved patients' quality of life more quickly and caused less occupational stress for doctors. However, only 31.6% of patients collected adequate CD34+ cells (≥2 × 10⁶ /kg) in the RAD group, which was significantly lower than that in the PAD group (95.5%, p < 0.001). The number of CD34+ cells collected was significantly higher in patients within three courses of RAD than in patients with four or five to six courses (14.18 ± 13.57 vs. 2.07 ± 2.42 vs. 1.51 ± 1.81 × 10⁶ /kg, p = 0.028). The median progression-free survival and overall survival of the two groups were not reached by the end of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Compared to PAD, RAD induction had comparable efficacy and a significantly better safety profile, improved quality of life for patients, and reduced occupational stress for doctors. However, RAD induction may need to be limited to four cycles to avoid irreversible damage to hematopoietic stem cells.

CLINICAL TRIAL REGISTRATION

This study was registered at www.chictr.org.cn (ChiCTR1900021558).