Improved Survival Rates for Multiple Myeloma Patients Show Unmet Medical Needs Persist

Strategic Insights -

Despite significant advances in treating multiple myeloma, older patients, males, and those from underrepresented racial and ethnic groups continue to face disparate survival rates. Research published in the British Journal of Haematology tracked the survival rates of 50,288 adults diagnosed with multiple myeloma between 2000 and 2019. The study found that overall survival improved over time, but demographic differences persisted in 2015-2019. Females showed favorable survival rates compared to males, while older patients, particularly those over 80, had significantly higher mortality rates. Additionally, Black, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander patients, as well as those living in lower-income counties, had poorer survival outcomes.

Key Takeaways:

  • The study evaluated overall survival (OS) among 50,288 adults diagnosed with multiple myeloma between 2000 and 2019, finding an improvement in OS over time.
  • The calculated hazard ratios (HRs) for OS across calendar periods showed a similar pattern across age, sex, racial-ethnic, and county-level median household income groups.
  • Within each calendar period, demographic differences were noted, with more favorable survival among females (HR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.87-0.96) and consistently higher mortality among older patients (HR = 80 years = 3.32, 95% CI = 3.08-3.58).
  • Black, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander patients showed poorer survival outcomes compared to White patients (HRBlack = 1.07, 95% CI = 1.00-1.15; HRHispanic = 1.08, 95% CI = 1.00-1.16; HRPacific Islander = 1.85, 95% CI = 1.40-2.44).
  • Patients living in counties with household incomes below the median had poorer survival rates.

Statistics:

  • Overall survival improved over time, with hazard ratios (HRs) as follows: HR2005-2009 = 0.77, 95% CI = 0.75-0.79; HR2010-2014 = 0.65, 95% CI = 0.63-0.67; HR2015-2019 = 0.56, 95% CI = 0.54-0.58.
  • Females showed more favorable survival rates compared to males (HR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.87-0.96).
  • Older patients, particularly those over 80, had significantly higher mortality rates (HR = 80 years = 3.32, 95% CI = 3.08-3.58).
  • Black, Hispanic, and Pacific Islander patients showed poorer survival outcomes compared to White patients.

Sources:

  • Temporal Patterns In Us Population-based Patient Survival Among Adults Treated With Chemotherapy And/or Immunotherapy for Multiple Myeloma, 2000-2020. British Journal of Haematology, 2025.
  • Graca M. Dores, National Cancer Institute (NCI), Division of Cancer Epidemiology and Genetics, Radiation Epidemiology Branch, National Institutes of Health (NIH), Bethesda, MD, United States.