Clinical characteristics, treatment patterns, and outcomes among African American and White patients with multiple myeloma in the United States

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is more common among Black/African American (AA) patients than White patients, but survival rate improvements are less pronounced for AA patients. This study evaluated treatment patterns and survival among 1810 AA and 5904 White adults in the United States with ≥1 MM treatment and ≥3 months of follow-up. Median time from diagnosis to systemic treatment was longer (37 [0–3053] vs. 35 [0–3664] days) and median time to stem cell transplant (SCT) was longer for AA than White patients (255 [1–2352] vs. 225 [1–3094] days), and AA patients were less likely to receive SCT (odds ratio [OR]: 0.66; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.58–0.76). Despite disparities in treatment between AA and White patients, AA patients demonstrated lower risk of death (OR: 0.89; 95% CI: 0.81–0.96). These data highlight the value of equal access to care for the improvement of health outcomes in underserved populations.

Keywords:

• Multiple myeloma
• diagnosis
• treatment
• outcomes
• health equity
• racial disparity

Acknowledgments

This study was supported by Bristol Myers Squibb. Medical writing and editorial support were provided by Jeff Frimpter, MPH, of Excerpta Medica, funded by Bristol Myers Squibb.

Disclosure statement

AS, SS, KS, and TG are employees and shareholders of Bristol Myers Squibb. ASR has provided consultancy to Kangpu Biopharmaceuticals and has received direct research funding from Bristol Myers Squibb and research funding for his institution from GlaxoSmithKline, Takeda, Kangpu Biopharmaceuticals, and Biomea Fusion. K-KA and MAQ declare to have no competing interests.

Data availability

BMS policy on data sharing may be found at https://www.bms.com/researchers-and-partners/independent-research/data-sharing-request-process.html.

Additional information

Funding

This study was funded by Bristol Myers Squibb.