Treatment pathways and disease journeys differ before and after introduction of novel agents in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in Taiwan

Sci Rep. 2021 Jan 13;11(1):1112. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-80607-4.

Abstract

Limited real-world data are available regarding treatment practices and outcomes of multiple myeloma (MM) in Asia. We conducted a retrospective cohort study using the Taiwan National Healthcare Insurance Research database and Taiwan Death Registry and used a Markov model to describe disease progression and outcomes in 4092 patients newly diagnosed with MM from 01-Jan-2007 to 31-Dec-2015. We observed marked differences in the characteristics, length and outcome of the clinical journey between patients who did/did not receive autologous stem cell transplant, and between patients initiated on novel agents versus other treatment regimens. In transplant recipients, initiation with combined thalidomide + bortezomib increased over time (12.2-77.5%). Progression-free survival after first-line treatment improved and a lower percentage of patients died. Lenalidomide in second and third-line regimens increased (15.5-31.5%). In non-transplanted patients, initiation with novel agents increased (17.5-54.6%), but death rates remained high (60.3%). The treatment landscape of MM in Taiwan has evolved, with increased use of combined bortezomib + thalidomide for first-line and lenalidomide for second/third-line but many patients die before receiving second-line treatment. Novel agents with different modes of action should be used as early as possible to maximize their benefits. Improved MM treatments remains a critical medical need.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Bortezomib / therapeutic use*
  • Combined Modality Therapy
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation*
  • Humans
  • Lenalidomide / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy
  • Multiple Myeloma / therapy*
  • Progression-Free Survival
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Taiwan
  • Thalidomide / therapeutic use
  • Transplantation, Autologous
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Thalidomide
  • Bortezomib
  • Lenalidomide