Ludwig H et al. - In a trial to analyze the presenting features and survival in pts with multiple myeloma aged < 50 years, it was found that lower International Staging System (ISS) stage and other favorable prognostic features seem to account for the significantly longer survival of young pts with multiple myeloma with age remaining a risk factor during conventional therapy Methods
Presenting features and survival in 1689 pts with multiple myeloma aged < 50 years were analyzed compared with 8860 pts 50 years of age and older
Of the total 10,549 pts, 7765 received conventional therapy and 2784 received high-dose therapy
Results
Young pts were more frequently male, had more favorable features such as low ISS and Durie-Salmon stage as well as less frequently adverse prognostic factors including high C-reactive protein (CRP), low hemoglobin, increased serum creatinine, and poor performance status
Survival was significantly longer in young pts both after conventional or high-dose therapy
10-year survival rate was 19% after conventional therapy and 43% after high-dose therapy in young pts, and 8% and 29%, respectively, in older patients
Age was an independent risk factor during conventional therapy, but not after autologous transplantation
5 of the 10 independent risk factors identified for conventional therapy were also relevant for autologous transplantation
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