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COMy 2025 | Characteristics and management of myeloma in younger patients (under 50 years of age)
The Balkan Myeloma Study Group recently analyzed the disease characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) under 50 years of age. In this interview, Guldane Cengiz Seval, MD, Ankara University School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey, comments on the characteristics and management of myeloma in these patients, noting that this population tends to have lower rates of renal impairment and anemia, but a higher incidence of lytic bone disease and adverse cytogenetics compared to their older counterparts. Dr Seval highlights that younger patients have significantly better complete response (CR) rates and overall survival (OS), and that autologous stem cell transplantation (autoSCT) is a key contributor to improved outcomes. This interview took place at the 11th World Congress on Controversies in Multiple Myeloma (COMy) congress in Paris, France.
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Transcript
Myeloma is predominantly a disease of the elderly, as known, but approximately 10% of patients are younger than 50 years at diagnosis. Existing literature suggested that myeloma in younger individuals may differ in biological and clinical features compared to older cohorts. In a cohort of 350 patients from the Balkan Myeloma Study Group registry, patients under 50 years of age had lower rates of renal impairment and anemia, but a higher incidence of lytic bone disease and adverse cytogenetics...
Myeloma is predominantly a disease of the elderly, as known, but approximately 10% of patients are younger than 50 years at diagnosis. Existing literature suggested that myeloma in younger individuals may differ in biological and clinical features compared to older cohorts. In a cohort of 350 patients from the Balkan Myeloma Study Group registry, patients under 50 years of age had lower rates of renal impairment and anemia, but a higher incidence of lytic bone disease and adverse cytogenetics. Treatment regimens used were comparable across age groups, but younger patients had significantly better complete response rates and overall survival. The 5- and 10-year overall survival rates were 76% and 64%, respectively, with a projected median OS exceeding 15 years. Autologous stem cell transplantation emerged as a key contributor to improved outcomes. Overall, it’s essential to better understand the distinct biology of the disease in younger myeloma patients and to identify major determinants of outcome. Prospective data from clinical trials and also real-world settings will be crucial in developing a tailored, intensified approach to therapy that could move us beyond operational cure and toward true disease eradication.
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