An objective assessment in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma to avoid treatment complications and strengthen therapy adherence.

In heterogeneous multiple myeloma (MM) patients treatment decisions are challenging. The hypothesis was that adaptation of treatment intensity (dose reduction [DR] vs. none) according to an objective risk score (revised-myeloma comorbidity index [R-MCI]) rather than physician judgement alone may improve therapy efficacy and avoid toxicities. We performed this study in 250 consecutive MM patients who underwent a prospective fitness assessment at our center, after having received induction protocols based on physicians' judgement. DR, serious adverse events (SAE), response, progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) were compared in fitness (fit, intermediate-fit, frail), age (<60, ≥70 years [y]) and therapy intensity subgroups at baseline and follow-up. Fit and <60 y patients were mostly treated with full intensity, whereas frail and ≥70 y patients usually received DR. Hematological and non-hematological SAE were more frequently seen in frail versus ≥70 y patients. Dose adaptations were mainly necessary in frail patients. OS and PFS were similar in fit and intermediate-fit but significantly worse in frail patients (P=0.0245/P<0.0001), whereas in age-based subgroups, OS and PFS differences did not reach significance (P=0.1362/P=0.0569). Non-hematological SAE were another negative predictor for impaired OS and PFS (P=0.0054/P=0.0021). In the follow-up performed at a median of 11 months after the first fitness assessment, the R-MCI improved or remained stable in 90% versus deteriorated in only 10% of patients. In conclusion, separation by R-MCI/frailty-defined subgroups was superior to age-based subgroups and can be used to improve tailored treatment. Fitter patients benefit from intensive therapies, whereas frail patients bear a need for initial DR.

Comparison of the prognostic significance of 5 comorbidity scores and 12 functional tests in a prospective multiple myeloma patient cohort.

BACKGROUND: Because of the various therapeutic options available for multiple myeloma (MM), remarkable interest exists today in individualized therapeutic concepts based on patients' fitness. The main objectives of this study were to compare different comorbidity scores and functional tests with respect to their impact on survival (overall survival [OS] and progression-free survival [PFS]); develop a time-efficient, MM-specific functional assessment (FA); and evaluate changes in patients' FA during treatment. METHODS: The authors performed a prospective FA in 266 consecutive patients with MM at their initial diagnosis. This included 5 comorbidity scores and 12 commonly used geriatric functional tests. To evaluate changes in the course of treatment, the authors reassessed these 17 tests after ≥6 months. The entire analysis included 7327 FA tests. RESULTS: On the basis of univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, the authors identified 4 of the 17 evaluated scores and functional tests as most relevant: the Revised Myeloma Comorbidity Index (R-MCI), Activity of Daily Living (ADL), the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), and the quality-of-life 12-Item Short Form Health Survey Physical Composite Scale (SF-12 PCS). These showed precise group differences for fit, (intermediate-fit), and frail patients in OS and PFS: the 3-year OS rates were 90%, 74%, and 43% via the R-MCI for fit, intermediate-fit, and frail patients, respectively (P = .0006); 80% and 66% via the ADL for fit and frail patients, respectively (P = .0159); 78% and 48% via the MMSE for fit and frail patients, respectively (P = .0001); and 86% and 66% via the SF-12 PCS for fit and frail patients, respectively (P = .0091). In follow-up analyses, 16 of 17 FA tests improved, mostly in younger patients (<70 years old) and responding patients (partial remission or better). CONCLUSIONS: Patients may recover from functional and physical limitations under applied MM therapy. The newly established MM-specific FA (via the R-MCI, ADL, MMSE, and SF-12 PCS) allows a precise evaluation of the prognosis and risk status in MM. Its use may improve treatment tolerability and should be validated to individualize MM treatment decisions in the future. LAY SUMMARY: The authors performed a prospective functional assessment (FA) in 266 consecutive patients with multiple myeloma at their initial diagnosis. On the basis of univariate and multivariate Cox regression analyses, the authors identified 4 of 17 initially evaluated scores and functional tests as most relevant: the Revised Myeloma Comorbidity Index, Activity of Daily Living, the Mini-Mental State Examination, and the quality-of-life 12-Item Short Form Health Survey Physical Composite Scale. The authors checked the stability of the final model by applying forward and stepwise selection. To evaluate changes in the course of treatment, they reassessed these 17 tests in 165 patients after ≥6 months: 16 of the 17 FA tests improved, mostly in younger patients (<70 years old) and responding patients (partial remission or better).