Basic clinical and laboratory data (age and hemoglobin level) predict overall survival in modern patients with multiple myeloma with access to novel therapies, similar to the International Staging System, and a less toxic treatment approach should be considered for high-risk patients.
Key Findings
Results
The three-year overall survival rate for multiple myeloma patients with access to novel drugs was 69%.
Prospective observational study conducted at Hospital Israelita Albert Einstein in São Paulo, Brazil
109 patients with plasma cell disorders treated between 2019 and 2022 were included
Median follow-up was 3.7 years
Three-year overall survival rate was 69%
Results
The three-year progression-free survival rate for multiple myeloma patients with access to novel drugs was 51%.
109 patients included with a median follow-up of 3.7 years
Patients were treated at a single center in Brazil between 2019 and 2022
Three-year progression-free survival was 51%
Results
Age was identified as an independent risk factor for mortality in multiple myeloma patients treated with novel drugs.
Multivariate analysis identified age as a significant predictor of mortality
HR = 1.60 for each additional 10 years of age (p=0.0025)
This finding was identified in a model that fared better than the International Staging System
Results
Hemoglobin level was identified as an independent risk factor for mortality in multiple myeloma patients treated with novel drugs.
Multivariate analysis identified hemoglobin level as a significant predictor of mortality
HR = 1.25 for each one-point decrease in hemoglobin (p=0.0038)
This finding was identified in a model that fared better than the International Staging System
Results
A multivariate model based on age and hemoglobin level outperformed the International Staging System in predicting overall survival.
The model incorporating age and hemoglobin level fared better than the International Staging System
Both variables are described as 'basic clinical and laboratory data' that are 'rarely available to patients'
The authors concluded these simple variables 'also predict overall survival in modern patients with multiple myeloma with access to novel therapies, similar to the International Staging System'
Conclusions
The authors recommend considering less toxic treatment approaches for high-risk multiple myeloma patients based on simple clinical predictors.
Simple clinical and laboratory data can predict outcomes, particularly non-relapse mortality
Age and hemoglobin are described as data that are 'rarely available to patients'
Authors concluded 'a less toxic treatment approach should be considered for high-risk patients'
Arcuri L, Ovigli D, Silva C, Moura F, Helman R, Hamerschlak N. (2026). Outcomes of multiple myeloma in patients with access to novel drugs.. Einstein (Sao Paulo, Brazil). https://doi.org/10.31744/einstein_journal/2026AO1748