Geriatric assessment and quality of life changes in older adults with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma undergoing treatment

Background: Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a disease of the elderly, whose prognoses are highly heterogeneous. Hence International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) proposed geriatric assessment (GA) in 2015, including daily activity and comorbidity status, to better discriminate between fit and frail patients (Palumbo et al, 2015). However, IMWG recruited patients from clinical trials instead of real world practices. Therefore we studied GA in elderly MM patients consecutively in China, along with other perspectives which are known to be problematic in elderly population that were previously left unnoticed, such as nutrition status, risk of cognitive impairment, risk of depression, and quality of life. Aim: Our study centers on the feasibility to perform a more comprehensive geriatric assessment (cGA) in elderly MM patients, current cGA status in elderly MM patients in China, and the cGA difference between Chinese patients and patients in the IMWG study. Method: From August 2017 to April 2019, we continuously recruited 336 newly diagnosed elderly (age ≥ 65) MM patients from 21 centers in China. cGA was performed at diagnosis, after treatment cycle 1, after cycle 4, and 1 year after treatment. cGA includes physical conditions (ECOG), activities of daily living (ADL), instrumental ADL (IADL), mini-nutritional assessment (MNA-SF), geriatric depression scale (GDS), mini-mental state examination (MMSE), quality of life (SF-36) and Charlson comorbidity index (CCI). Staging was assessed at baseline (International Staging System (ISS) & Revised ISS) and hematological responses were evaluated along with each cGA timepoint. Results: We pool-analyzed data of 336 newly-diagnosed elderly MM patients. The median age was 70 (range 65-88) and 25.5% of patients were older than 75 years. 336 (100%) patients were able to complete cGA, and median assessment time was 40 minutes (range 20-70). Upon diagnosis, only 34% and 37.5% of patients had full ADL and IADL respectively. 38.5% of patients had moderate to high risk of depression (GDS ≥ 6). 13.2% of patients were malnourished (MNA-SF ≤ 7), while 46.3% of patients were at risk of malnutrition (8 ≤ MNA-SF ≤ 11). 41% of patients had at least one comorbidity (CCI ≥ 1). 45.7% of patients had moderate to intermediate risk of cognitive impairment (MMSE ≤ 26). Grouping by IMWG-GA index, our study identified 59.9% patients in frail group (vs 39% in IMWG study), 15.8% in intermediate (vs 31% in IMWG) and 24.3% in fit (vs 30% in IMWG). 69% of patients received proteasome inhibitor-containing regimens and 20.7% of patients received lenalidomide-containing regimens. Best hematological responses in fit and intermediate groups were better than responses in frail group (≥ PR rate: 88.5% in fit, 94.4% in intermediate vs 77.5% in frail). Median follow up time was 10 months. To date, 215 (64%) patients have finished the cGA after cycle 1; 164 (48.8%) patients have finished the cGA after cycle 4; 91 (27.1%) patients has finished all 4 planned cGA and improvements in cGA were observed in the majority of these patients. Conclusion: Our study showed significant CGA heterogeneity in elderly MM patients. Even in the IMWG-GA "fit" group, nutrition, depression and cognitive impairment remain problems. Frail patients took up a larger proportion in Chinese elderly MM patients compared to IMWG study. Our study strongly justifies the necessity for cGA in elderly patients with MM, more so in the real world MM patients than in the clinical trials. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Download Full-text

Multiple Myeloma in the Older Adult: Better Prospects, More Challenges

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2014.55.1028 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 32 (24) ◽

pp. 2531-2540 ◽

Cited By ~ 37

Author(s):

Tanya M. Wildes ◽

Ashley Rosko ◽

Sascha A. Tuchman

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Older Adults ◽

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Geriatric Assessment ◽

Potential Role ◽

Assessment Tools ◽

High Dose ◽

Younger Adults ◽

Disease Response

Purpose Multiple myeloma (MM) is disproportionately diagnosed in older adults; with the aging of the population, the number of older adults diagnosed with MM will increase by nearly 80% in the next two decades. Duration of survival has improved dramatically over the last 20 years, but the improvements in older adults have not been as great as those in younger adults with MM. Methods In this article, we address treatment approaches in older adults who are eligible for and those ineligible for high-dose therapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation as well as supportive care considerations and the potential role for geriatric assessment in facilitating decision making for older adults with MM. Results The evidence from recent studies demonstrates that combinations of novel and conventional antimyeloma agents result in improved response rates and, in some cases, improved progression-free and overall survival. However, some older adults are particularly vulnerable to toxicities of therapy and discontinuation of therapy and, consequently, they have poorer survival. In addition, older adults may prioritize other outcomes of therapy, such as quality of life, over more conventional end points such as disease response and duration of survival. Geriatric assessment can facilitate risk-stratification of older adults at greater risk for adverse events from therapy and aid in personalizing therapy for vulnerable or frail older adults. Conclusion Survival in older adults with MM is improving with novel therapeutics, but efficacy must be balanced with risk of toxicity of therapy and maintenance of quality of life. Novel instruments such as geriatric assessment tools may facilitate these aims.

Download Full-text

Faculty Opinions recommendation of Lenalidomide, melphalan, and prednisone, followed by lenalidomide maintenance, improves health-related quality of life in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients aged 65 years or older: results of a randomized phase III trial.

Faculty Opinions – Post-Publication Peer Review of the Biomedical Literature ◽

10.3410/f.717969674.793470152 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

Christopher Steer

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Phase Iii ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Health Related Quality ◽

Phase Iii Trial ◽

Related Quality ◽

Health Related

Download Full-text

Health-Related Quality of Life in Transplant-Ineligible Patients With Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Findings From the Phase III MAIA Trial

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.20.01370 ◽

2020 ◽

pp. JCO.20.01370

Author(s):

Aurore Perrot ◽

Thierry Facon ◽

Torben Plesner ◽

Saad Z. Usmani ◽

Shaji Kumar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Phase Iii ◽

Life Questionnaire ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

European Organization ◽

Quality Of Life Questionnaire ◽

Depth Of Response ◽

Descriptive System

PURPOSE To evaluate the effects of daratumumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone (D-Rd) versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) on patient-reported outcomes (PROs) in the phase III MAIA study. PATIENTS AND METHODS PROs were assessed on the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30-item and the EuroQol 5-dimensional descriptive system at baseline and every 3 months during treatment. By mixed-effects model, changes from baseline are presented as least squares means with 95% CIs. RESULTS A total of 737 transplant-ineligible (TIE) patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma were randomly assigned to D-Rd (n = 368) or Rd (n = 369). Compliance with PRO assessments was high at baseline (> 90%) through month 12 (> 78%) for both groups. European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30-item global health status scores improved from baseline in both groups and were consistently greater with D-Rd at all time points. A global health status benefit was achieved with D-Rd, regardless of age (< 75 and ≥ 75 years), baseline Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status score, or depth of response. D-Rd treatment resulted in significantly greater reduction in pain scores as early as cycle 3 ( P = .0007 v Rd); the magnitude of change was sustained through cycle 12. Reductions in pain with D-Rd were clinically meaningful in patients regardless of age, ECOG status, or depth of response. Similarly, PRO improvements were observed with D-Rd and Rd on the EuroQol 5-dimensional descriptive system visual analog scale score. CONCLUSION D-Rd compared with Rd was associated with faster and sustained clinically meaningful improvements in PROs, including pain, in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma regardless of age, baseline ECOG status, or depth of treatment response.

Download Full-text

A352 Impact of Complete Response on Quality of Life in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients

Clinical Lymphoma & Myeloma ◽

10.1016/s1557-9190(11)70556-x ◽

2009 ◽

Vol 9 ◽

pp. S58 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

R Dhawan ◽

J Meunier ◽

A Regnault ◽

D Robinson ◽

K Rosa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Complete Response ◽

Newly Diagnosed

Download Full-text

Melphalan, Prednisone and Lenalidomide Followed by Lenalidomide Maintenance Displays Treatment Characteristics Favourable to Global Quality of Life in Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma (NDMM) Patients ≥ 65 Years,

Blood ◽

10.1182/blood.v118.21.3988.3988 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 118 (21) ◽

pp. 3988-3988 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Meletios Athanasios Dimopoulos ◽

Antonio Palumbo ◽

Roman Hajek ◽

Martin Kropff ◽

Maria Teresa Petrucci ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Multiple Myeloma ◽

Partial Response ◽

Progressive Disease ◽

Newly Diagnosed ◽

Employment Equity ◽

Risk Of Disease ◽

Equity Ownership ◽

Grade 3

Abstract Abstract 3988 Background: Melphalan, prednisone and lenalidomide followed by lenalidomide maintenance (MPR-R) demonstrated higher response rates (ORR; 77% vs. 50%, p <.001; VGPR or better: 32% vs. 12%, p <.001) and significantly reduced the risk of disease progression (hazard ratio [HR] = 0.423, p <.001) vs. MP alone [Palumbo, 2010]. Alongside efficacy considerations, analyses on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) may help more fully establish a regimen's overall treatment profile. HRQoL improvements with MPR-R were observed during MPR induction as well as lenalidomide maintenance, documenting a well-balanced profile in terms of efficacy, tolerability and HRQoL [Dimopoulos, 2011]. Alternative findings on novel NDMM treatment have shown efficacy of melphalan, prednisone and bortezomib (VMP) treatment to be associated with an intermittent deterioration in patients' HRQoL [Dhawan, 2009]. Methods: A mixed effects model was developed based on parameters pre-selected as potentially clinically relevant in impacting HRQoL. Models were run on six domains pre-selected based on clinical relevance: Global QoL, Physical Functioning, Fatigue and Pain (from EORTC QLQ-C30), and Disease Symptoms and Side Effects of Treatment (from EORTC MY20). Cycle 16 was determined as the last observation time point with a statistically meaningful sample size at time of follow-up (May 2010). Following explanatory variables were included: time-dependant covariates at individual HRQoL measurement time points (i.e. cycle 4, 7, 10, 13 and 16), treatment group (MPR-R vs. MP), gender (Female vs. Male), age, baseline QoL, Partial Response (PR) vs. Stable Disease (SD) and Very Good Partial Response or better (≥VGPR) vs. SD, Progressive Disease (PD) and Discontinuation (DC). Neutropenia and anemia, both Grade 3 or 4, were considered the clinically most relevant safety parameters. Main results for Global QoL are reported, with results from other domains found to be comparable. Results: Across all time-dependant covariates, a statistically significant reduction on Global QoL (−4.63; p=.004) was observed at Cycle 4. Being female vs. male significantly reduced Global QoL by -−.07 (p=.026). Each additional life year was found to lower Global QoL b− −0.40 points (p=.034). Baseline Global QoL was also significant, each additional score point leading to +0.30 (p <.001). A response level of ≥VGPR vs. SD increased Global QoL by 9.11 (p=.023); Progressive Disease (PD) reduced Global QoL by -−.34 score points (p <.001). All other pre-defined variables did not significantly impact Global QoL. Clinically meaningful changes for Global QoL in the underlying patient population have been determined to constitute at least a 7-point change [Dimopoulos, 2011]. Progressive disease (reducing Global QoL), respectively ≥VGPR (increasing Global QoL) exerted clinically meaningful changes, as did anemia grade 3–4, which had a clinically meaningful, but not statistically significant negative impact (−9.85; p=.057). Although no significant direct effect of MPR-R over MP on Global QoL was detected in the underlying model, MPR-R displays properties which favor an improved HRQoL profile, including a stronger delay in PD and higher % of VGPR vs. MP patients. Furthermore, certain properties more frequently observed with MPR-R than MP (neutropenia grade 3 or 4 and discontinuation, DC) were shown not to have a significant impact on HRQoL. Anemia grade 3 or 4, exerted a clinically meaningful negative effect but was not significantly more often observed with MPR-R compared to MP (24% vs. 17%, p= 0.091). Conclusions: More patients achieved ≥VGPR when receiving continuous MPR-R treatment than those receiving MP. In the above pooled analysis, ≥VGPR was shown to improve Global QoL in a clinically meaningful and statistically significant way. Furthermore, progression was also shown to negatively impact Global QoL (−8.34; p <.001), with MPR-R significantly reducing the risk of disease progression over MP. Delaying progression with continuous MPR-R therefore helps to maintain a high Global QoL. Disclosures: Dimopoulos: Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria. Off Label Use: Lenalidomide in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Palumbo:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria; Ortho-Biotech: Honoraria. Hajek:Celgene: Honoraria; Janssen-Cilag: Honoraria; Merck: Honoraria. Petrucci:Celgene: Honoraria. Lewis:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Millar:Celgene: Consultancy. Zhang:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Mei:Celgene: Employment, Equity Ownership. Delforge:Celgene: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau; Janssen-Cilag: Consultancy, Honoraria, Speakers Bureau.

Download Full-text