Managing multiple myeloma in elderly patients

Abstract

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell neoplasm that affects elderly individuals with two-thirds of patients over 65 years at diagnosis. However, data available are derived from clinical trials conducted in younger patients. Fewer studies investigated treatment options in the elderly. This review summarizes the clinical outcomes and toxicities associated with therapeutic regimens in older patients including doublet, triplet and high dose therapyin newly diagnosed patients and relapsed patients with MM. We highlight the importance of an approach tailored to individuals, incorporates the geriatric frailty assessment, considers comorbiditiess and commits to early recognition and management of toxicities ranging from myelosuppression to polypharmacy. To date, no trial has prospectively investigated a tailored treatment paradigm in older patients based on frailty and/or comorbidities. As the population ages, the proportion of MM patients with advanced age will grow. Studies are indicated to determine optimal treatment approaches in this increasingly heterogeneous geriatric population.

Keywords:

• Geriatric
• dose modification
• dose adjustment
• dose reduction
• toxicity
• transplant ineligible

Potential conflict of interest

Disclosure forms provided by the authors are available with the full text of this article online at https://doi.org/10.1080/10428194.2017.1365859.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by P30 CA008748.