Profile and Treatment Outcomes of Filipino Multiple Myeloma Patients Managed at a Tertiary Institution: A Single Center Six-Year Retrospective Study

Introduction

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a malignancy of the terminal differentiation of B cells, associated with production of increased amounts of immunoglobulin.[1] The clinical presentation is diverse, ranging from hypercalcemia, elevated creatinine level (renal involvement), anemia, bone pains, or a combination of these collectively referred to as CRAB. The disease is further defined as symptomatic or active.[1] MM is diagnosed based on the results of bone marrow biopsy and serum protein electrophoresis (SPEP) and/or urine protein electrophoresis (UPEP). Biopsy of any soft tissue mass is also helpful in detecting plasmacytoma, which is composed of plasma cell accumulation. Serum-free light chain (sFLC) analysis is also now recommended as part of the initial workup for patients suspected of having MM.[2] The International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) defines the diagnostic criteria for active multiple myeloma.[3] (see Appendix A). The Durie Salmon System [4] or the International Staging System [5] (ISS) is used for grading and prognostication of the disease (see Appendix B).

Despite the advances in treatment, MM remains to be an incurable condition, but with the advent of novel agents, more patients now experience survival way beyond three years.[6] The first step in management is to determine whether a patient is eligible for bone marrow transplant (BMT) or not.[2] For those eligible, autologous bone marrow transplant (auto-BMT) after chemotherapy is the standard of care for newly diagnosed MM.[2] For those transplants ineligible, melphalan-based regimen is given preferably with a proteosome-inhibitor bortezomib. The most robust data for bortezomib among newly diagnosed MM who are transplant ineligible came from the VISTA study (Velcade as Initial Standard Therapy in Multiple Myeloma: Assessment With Melphalan and Prednisone) which demonstrated superior progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for patients who were given the drug with melphalan and prednisone when compared with melphalan and prednisone alone.[7] 

In 2006, Caguioa et al. through the Philippine Society of Hematology and Blood Transfusion made a cross-sectional study that described the characteristics and outcome of patients diagnosed with MM in the Philippines. Among the 278 patients in this study, 87% received melphalan-prednisone as the first line treatment; and among those who received the first line regimen, only 2.5% attained complete response.[8] The management paradigm for Filipino MM cases has shifted since then; hence the creation of this study.

The general objective of this paper is to determine the clinical profile and treatment outcome of Filipino MM patients diagnosed and managed at a tertiary institution (University of Santo Tomas Hospital or USTH) from January 2013 until December 2018. Specifically, it aims to (1) characterize the demographic and clinical characteristics of patients diagnosed with MM; (2) describe the management and treatment outcomes; (3) determine survival endpoints such as median survival, overall survival, progression-free survival and time to relapse; and (4) identify long-term treatment side effects, such as cardiotoxicity, pulmonary fibrosis and infertility, and incidence of secondary malignancy.

 

Methodology

This retrospective, observational and cross-sectional study involved patients with MM diagnosed from January 2013 up to December 2018 (six years). Data of patients were extracted from the developed secured system or database of the Philippine Lymphoma and Myeloma Registry and Benavides Cancer Institute.

All adult Filipino patients aged >18 years diagnosed with MM in the participating tertiary institution (USTH) from January 1, 2013 until December 31, 2018 were included in this study. Patients diagnosed with plasma cell disorders other than MM were excluded.

No formal sample size calculation was required in this review. All MM patients who fulfill the inclusion criteria were counted.

The investigators utilized and maximized the database of the Philippine Lymphoma and Myeloma Registry with that of the Benavides Cancer Institute. The following data were covered: demographics (median age at diagnosis, gender, occupation, area of residence [spent >/= 20 years], highest educational attainment); medical history (comorbid illness, list of medications, past medical history); clinical characteristics (presenting symptoms, type of biopsy, site of biopsy, International Prognostic Staging System [IPSS], median hemoglobin at diagnosis, median creatinine at diagnosis, median ionized calcium at diagnosis, serum heavy and light chains, presence of lytic bone disease and/or fractures at diagnosis, fluorescent in situ hybridization [FISH]/cytogenetics); and treatments received (date of initiation of treatment, chemotherapy regimen used, number of cycles of chemotherapy, need for radiation therapy).

The following parameters regarding treatment outcome and survival were also included: outcomes of treatment (tumor response, type of second line treatment, response to second line treatment, subsequent lines of treatment, response to subsequent lines of treatment, second primary tumor, other long-term side effects [ie, cardiotoxicity, infertility, pulmonary fibrosis]; and cause of death, if applicable.

The IMWG criteria for tumor response [9] was used to define treatment outcomes for patients diagnosed with MM (see Appendix C).

Data Analysis

Continuous variables were summarized by providing the mean, median and standard deviation. Categorical variables were presented as frequency and percentages. The Kaplan–Meier method of survival analysis was used to determine the overall and progression-free survival reported in this study as median survival in months. Overall survival (OS) was determined by looking at the length of time from the date of diagnosis (same as start of treatment in these cases) to death. Median survival reflected the length of time from the date of diagnosis (and start of treatment) that half of the patients were still alive.[10] Progression-free survival (PFS) was measured from the time of treatment initiation to disease progression or death from any cause. Time to relapse (TTR) is defined as the time elapsed from the date of stable status or better to disease progression status or death. To compare the difference in survival distributions of two groups, Log-rank tests were used. A p-value less than 0.05 was considered to be statistically significant.[11] Analyses were done using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences version 16.

Ethical Considerations

This study was approved by the hospital Institutional Review Board (IRB) on September 20, 2018. A letter of permission from the Medical Director and the Chair of the Benavides Cancer Institute were secured. Every patient included was ensured anonymity and handled with full observance of the data privacy act. The primary investigator does not have any conflict of interest and has nothing to disclose.

Results

Patient and Treatment Demographics

One hundred nine participants (109) were included in this retrospective analysis. One patient was excluded being a case of smoldering myeloma. Demographics and baseline clinical characteristics are reflected in Table 1. The median age of diagnosis was 61 years (range of 28 to 83 years) and 51.4% were females (56 out of 109 participants). Based on the IPSS at diagnosis, 21.1% were stage III but majority were still unknown at 44.9%. Also at the time of diagnosis, hemoglobin, creatinine and ionized calcium were at median level of 9.5 g/L (range of 5.0 to 15.2), 1.13 mg/dL (0.4 to 8.07) and 1.28 mmol/L (0.9 to 2.85), respectively. The majority had unknown serum-free heavy and light chain status, though those who were able to comply predominantly had IgG at 10.1% and lambda at 21.1%. Lytic bone disease and/or fractures at diagnosis were noted to be at 81.7%, (56 of this were detected by simple x-ray or skeletal survey [62.9% out of total with pathognomonic bone lesions]). FISH and/or cytogenetic data were only available in 28 out of 109 (25.7%) patients: 17.4% (19), 3.7% (4) and 4.6% (5) were standard, intermediate and high risk, respectively.

Other pertinent patient information was profiled. At the time of diagnosis, 33.9% of patients (37 of 109) were employed and 66.1% (72 of 109) were unemployed (or already retired), 84.7% (61 of 72) of which were professionals (attained college degree) on their respective fields prior to age 60. Most of the respondents were metropolitan-based for the past 20 years at 72.0%, with 28.0% living in the rural areas and had exposure to farming.

In terms of comorbidity, 50.5% (55 of 109) of patients did not have, 30.2% (33 of 109) had one and 19.3% (21 of 109) had multiple pre-existing conditions. Hypertension was the topmost at 40.4% and patients’ medications mostly were antihypertensive with antiplatelet aspirin.

All of the patients in this study underwent bone marrow aspiration biopsy at the posterior superior iliac spine.

Table 1. Multiple myeloma patient demographics and baseline clinical characteristics

Factor

Number
(total = 109)

Percentage (%)

Age in years

61 years old (28 - 83)
Gender

          Male

53

48.6

          Female

56

51.4

International Prognostic Staging System

 

 

          Stage I

16

14.7

          Stage II

21

19.3

          Stage III

23

21.1

          Unknown

49

44.9

Hemoglobin, g/dL

     9.5 (5.0 – 15.2)

Serum creatinine, mg/dL

    1.13 (0.4 – 8.07)

Ionized calcium, mmol/L

    1.28 (0.9 – 2.85)
Serum heavy chain

          IgG

11

10.1

          IgA

5

4.6

          IgM

3

2.7

          Unknown

90

82.6

Serum light chain

          Kappa

15

13.8

          Lambda

23

21.1

          Unknown

71

65.1

Lytic bone disease and/or fractures at diagnosis

 

 

          Present

89

81.7

          Absent

14

12.8

          Unknown

6

5.5

FISH and/or cytogenetics

          Standard Risk

19

17.4

          Intermediate Risk

4

3.7

          High Risk

5

4.6

          Unknown

81

74.3

         *Values are either median at diagnosis (range), or frequency (% frequency)

 

Patients’ management and treatment demographics are shown in Table 2. As soon as the diagnosis of myeloma was confirmed at least by bone marrow morphology, treatment was immediately administered either by single or dual oral regimen. Due to financial challenges and limited resources, most of the patients included were managed pharmacologically.

In the frontline setting, 23.5% of patients still received the combination of melphalan-prednisone-thalidomide. A number of patients at 35.7% and 2.04% had a regimen containing proteosome-inhibitor bortezomib and newer immuno-modulator lenalidomide, respectively. All the frontline treatments contained steroids, either dexamethasone or prednisone. Eleven (11) patients did not initiate treatment at our institution or opted to be endorsed back to their hometown hematologist, or lost to follow-up.

During the patients’ second line treatment, 44.5%, 11.1% and 7.4% received a regimen containing bortezomib, lenalidomide and newer alkylating agent bendamustine, respectively. In this setting, 96.3% received steroids. On their third line treatment, 66.7%, 26.7% and 26.7% had chemotherapy containing bortezomib, lenalidomide and bendamustine, respectively; and 93.3% were given steroids. Among all subsequent treatments (fourth line and beyond), 90.0%, 50.0% and 50.0% had chemotherapy containing bortezomib, lenalidomide and bendamustine, respectively; and 90.0% had steroids.

 

Table 2. Multiple myeloma management and treatment demographics

 

Regimen

Frontline Treatment

Second Treatment

Third Treatment

Fourth Treatment and more

Oral steroid alone (Dexa or Pred)

3.1% (3)

0

0

0

Immuno-modulator + Steroid

(Thal-Dexa or Len-Dexa)

20.4% (20)

29.6% (8)

13.3% (2)

0

Oral alkylating agent + Steroid (MP)

17.3% (17)

0

0

10.0% (1)

Proteasome inhibitor + Steroid (VD)

15.3% (15)

7.4% (2)

20.0% (3)

0

Oral alkylating agent + Steroids + Immunomodulator (MPT)

23.5% (23)

18.5% (5)

13.3% (2)

0

Proteasome inhibitor + Steroid + Immunomodulator (VDT)

11.2% (11)

26.0% (7)

13.3% (2)

20.0% (2)

Proteasome inhibitor + Alkylating agent + Steroid (VMP)

8.2% (8)

7.4% (2)

6.7% (1)

0

Single agent newer alkylating agent (bendamustine)

0

3.7% (1)

6.7% (1)

0

Alkylating agent + Proteasome inhibitor + Steroid (CyBorD)

1.0% (1)

0

0

10.0% (1)

Vinca Alkaloid + Anthracycline + Steroids (VAD)

0

3.7% (1)

0

0

Newer alkylating agent + Proteasome inhibitor + Steroid (BVD)

0

0

6.7% (1)

10.0% (1)

Newer Immunomodulator + Proteasome inhibitor + Steroid (RVD)

0

3.7% (1)

20.0% (3)

50.0% (5)

Total Treatment

98

27

15

10

Legend:

Dexa: Dexamethasone
Pred: Prednisone
Thal-Dexa: Thalidomide-Dexamethasone
Len-Dexa: Lenalidomide-Dexamethasone
MP: Melphalan-Prednisone
VAD: Vincristine-Doxorubicin-Dexamethasone
RVD: Lenalidomide-Bortezomib-Dexamethasone
VD: Bortezomib-Dexamethasone
MPT: Melphalan-Prednisone-Thalidomide
VDT: Bortezomib-Dexamethasone-Thalidomide
VMP: Bortezomib-Melphalan-Prednisone
CyBorD: Cyclophosphamide-Bortezomib-Dexamethasone
BVD: Bendamustine-Bortezomib-Dexamethasone

 

A total of 9.17% of patients underwent radiation therapy either for palliation of pain due to severe spinal cord compression or presence of plasmacytoma. As of date, none of the patients included went through autologous bone marrow transplantation due to limited personal resources.

Table 3 summarizes the outcome or response to treatment of all our myeloma patients. Majority were able to comply with the prescribed number of cycles of their respective chemotherapy protocol and by practice follow-up for evaluation were done prior to the next treatment schedule, devoid of complications in between.

After the first treatment, 18.4% and 13.3% achieved complete response (CR) and very good partial response (VGPR), respectively. From these, 66.7% of CR and 71.4% of VGPR received bortezomib as part of their induction regimen. Overall response rate (ORR) was 40.9%, 27.6% had progressive disease (PD) and 24.4% expired on frontline management. The most common cause of demise was septicemia. As at the time of writing, 29.4% were on maintenance treatment.

Subsequent to the second treatment, 11.2% and 18.5% attained CR and VGPR respectively; ORR was 37.1% versus 22.2% who progressed; 24.2% on maintenance treatment; and only 3.7% died. At the end of the third treatment, 6.7% and 13.3% had CR and VGPR, respectively; ORR was 26.7% and 13.3% progressed, 18.8% were on maintenance treatment and 13.3% deceased. After the fourth and succeeding treatment, the best response achieved was VGPR at 30.0%; only 10% was ongoing maintenance therapy; 10.0% had PD and 50.0% succumbed to death.

 

Table 3. Multiple myeloma response rates to treatment

 

First treatment

(n=98)

Second Treatment

(n=27)

Third Treatment

(n=15)

Fourth Treatment and more (n=10)

Complete Response

18.4% (18)

11.2% (3)

6.7% (1)

0

Very Good Partial Response

13.3% (13)

18.5% (5)

13.3% (2)

30.0% (3)

Partial Response

9.2% (9)

7.4% (2)

6.7% (1)

10.0% (1)

Stable Disease

7.1% (7)

37.0% (10)

46.7% (7)

0

Progressive Disease

27.6% (27)

22.2% (6)

13.3% (2)

10.0% (1)

Expired

24.4% (24)

3.7% (1)

13.3% (2)

50.0% (5)

 

Figure 1 shows the OS of all myeloma patients in our institution for the period of six years. Median OS was 49.5 months (at 95% CI: range of 42.7 to 56.2 months).

Figure 1. Overall survival in months of Filipino multiple myeloma patients in the USTH. Generally, the length of time from the date of diagnosis and treatment initiation to death is almost 4.1 years.

 

 

Figure 2 reflects that the median PFS of patients included was 25.0 months (95% CI: 3 to 50.8 months). In terms of regimen, patients had median PFS of 50.3 months (95% CI: 39.8 to 60.7 months) after the first treatment with bortezomib-containing regimen versus median PFS of 28.7 months (95% CI: 21.8 to 35.6 months) without bortezomib; and median PFS of 10.0 months (95% CI: 7.6 to 12.4 months) after salvage therapy with bortezomib-based regimen versus 8.3 months (95% CI: 6.4 to 10.1 months) without bortezomib (Figure 3). Using the Log Rank (Mantel-Cox) method (see Appendix E), the PFS of those who underwent frontline and salvage treatments with bortezomib-based regimen was longer compared to non-bortezomib containing therapy with p-values of 0.002 and 0.049, respectively.

Figure 2. Progression-free survival in months of Filipino multiple myeloma patients in the USTH. Generally, the time of treatment initiation to disease progression or death is almost 2.1 years.

 

 

 

Figure 3. Progression-free survival in months of Filipino multiple myeloma patients in the USTH after frontline (left) versus salvage (right) treatments with bortezomib-based regimen versus non-bortezomib containing therapy. This clearly showed a two-fold increase in PFS of bortezomib-containing frontline regimen group (left) versus non-bortezomib. There is also a difference of two months in the PFS bortezomib-based salvage therapy (right) versus non-bortezomib.

 

 

The median TTR (n=31) was 9.0 months (range of 3-17 months). One developed breast adenocarcinoma, one with lung mass and another had tongue squamous papilloma within six years but all were established unrelated to treatment. None of them reported long-term adverse effects to treatment such as cardiotoxicity, infertility and pulmonary fibrosis.

Discussion

MM is one of the most common hematologic malignancies in which the incidence increases with age and varies by ethnicity, with Asians showing relatively lower incidence than Caucasians.[12] However, recent reports have exposed increased morbidity in Asia.[13] This six-year retrospective analysis from a single local institution revealed representative insights into the updated clinical demographics and real-world practical treatment patterns as well as outcomes in patients with symptomatic MM in a developing third world country like the Philippines.

The collated results from our institution is at par with the data from the large Asian Myeloma Network (AMN) Study involving seven countries (China, Hong Kong, Japan, Korea, Singapore, Taiwan and Thailand) from 1986 to 2011.[13] The median age of diagnosis at 61 years old, median hemoglobin of <10 g/dL, median creatinine of <2.0 mg/dL, median ionized calcium of <10.5 mg/dL (or 2.62 mmol/L), and detection of lytic bone lesions at the time of diagnosis were all comparable. The presence of bone involvement at diagnosis correlated to the bulk of patients with initial clinical presentation of a dull backbone or body pains. Though only a limited number of patients were able to afford, the profile of serum heavy chain type (IgG) and IPSS parameters (stage III) were also similar with the rest of Asia. Due to the minimum number of parameters required for staging, its simplicity and better prognostication, Thomasian clinicians prefer IPSS than the Durie-Salmon System. Females were slightly affected than males (ratio 1.1:1) in contrast to the male predominance established in international demographics. FISH and cytogenetics data were scarce due to its high cost, though those who were able to comply mostly belonged to the standard risk. In our setting, clinicians and patients would rather allocate resources to treatment than do special tests, especially if the diagnosis is already definite by bone marrow morphology. Aside from that, the detection sensitivity of interphase FISH is limited by the percentage of plasma cells in the entire bone marrow and metaphase cytogenetic analysis often fails to identify genomic abnormalities due to the low proliferation rate of plasma cells.[14] Detection of cytogenetic abnormalities was prioritized in PD or relapsed/refractory cases, but still only a few were able to comply due to lack of adequate funds. Five patients were documented to have high risk features [t(4;14) or t(14;16), 17p13 del and/or 1q21 gain] and all of them went into PD.

Our patients’ median hemoglobin level corresponded to the WHO mild anemia grading, which was observed to be the most common laboratory presentation and reason for hematologic referral, some even incidental finding. The estimated median eGFR using CKD-EPI (~52.4 mL/min) of patients included were not hemodialysis-requiring upon diagnosis, though as of the time of writing there are three patients ongoing renal replacement therapy.

Since myeloma is primarily a disease of the elderly, 66% were already unemployed or had already retired at the time of diagnosis, with almost one-third exposed to farming, an occupational risk factor of statistically high prevalence in myeloma.[15] As expected, those having multiple comorbidities seem to resist desirable treatment response as early as induction.

As soon as the diagnosis was confirmed at least by the characteristic bone marrow morphology, treatment was immediately administered either by single or dual oral regimen making the time of diagnosis same as time of treatment. Due to financial challenges, all patients were managed only pharmacologically. However, because of the recent various assistance programs for autologous bone marrow transplantation locally, we have already referred a number of qualified and fit patients, yet none of them underwent the procedure as of date. The youngest one eligible refused due to religious beliefs (on blood transfusion).

A paradigm shift in myeloma treatment has been observed due to various newer agents now accessible and available in the country. Based on a cross-sectional analysis done by Caguioa, et al. in 2006, 87% received melphalan-prednisone (MP) as the first line treatment.[8] Our recent data showed that only 17.3% of patients received MP, and the majority at 23.5% were given a combination of melphalan-prednisone-thalidomide (MPT) as frontline regimen, which is the same as the standard of care in Indonesia presented during the latest American Society of Hematology Highlights in Asia Convention.

Locally available novel drugs for myeloma included proteosome-inhibitor bortezomib, immuno-modulator lenalidomide and alkylating agent bendamustine. Bortezomib became commercially available in the Philippines in the year 2006 and bendamustine in 2017. Lenalidomide was introduced to the country in 2006, but our patients currently avail it through compassionate use only. Of these three, bortezomib was the one of increased utility not just as a part of the salvage chemotherapeutic regimen, but also in the frontline setting (cumulative rate of 35.7%, higher compared to that of the Asian Myeloma Network Study at 19.1%).[13] Steroids were still used but the frequency decreased as the line of treatment proceeded, mainly due to its undesirable effects on chronic exposure. Patients on lenalidomide had persistent grade 2-3 neutropenia on treatment.

A total of 18.4% of our myeloma patients achieved CR after frontline treatment - more than seven-fold increase compared to 2.5% CR rate from the same 2006 local study. Out of those who achieved CR after induction, 66.7% were given bortezomib-based chemotherapy regimen. VGPR was attained by 13.3%, of which 71.4% received bortezomib as part of their frontline treatment. The results of combined deep responses (CR+VGPR) of our patients at 31.7% was higher than that of the Asian Myeloma Network Study[13] at 30.9%. Compared to the Indonesian data[16] in which CR rate after primary chemotherapy was at 8.67%, our results were way beyond better.

Because of its cost and limited availability through charity or access programs, Thomasian clinicians practice “bortezomib-sharing” amongst their myeloma patients, making almost all of our patients on bortezomib-based therapy receive the drug on their treatment schedule using their available stocks. Rather than discarding the excess, it is still being shared to another for free (aware that the dose is not optimal). It could not be denied that this practice helped a lot of MM patients on bortezomib achieve a desirable, sustainable response.

The median OS of Filipino myeloma patients in our institution for six years was 49.5 months (95% CI 42.7-56.2) which was equivalent to 4.1 years, comparable to that of the AMN study[13] with median OS at 47 months (95% CI 44.0-50.0) and to the survival analysis of Indonesia[16] at 47 months also.

The median PFS of the participants was 25.0 months (95% CI 3-50.8). With respect to treatment, the median PFS of both bortezomib-containing induction (50.3 months, 95% CI 39.8-6.7) and salvage (10.0 months, 95% CI 7.6-12.4) therapies were higher than those of a non-bortezomib based regimen. Repeated use of this agent in new combinations still achieved clinical benefit for most of our patients; however, PFS was noticeably longer during the first use of the drug and became progressively shorter with each subsequent regimen containing it. This observation can be attributed to the fact that patients who technically progress have disease-related high-risk features making them poorly responsive or even refractory to bortezomib. Yet, our median PFS results were significantly higher than that of a Caucasian 2016 study published, wherein median PFS for patients treated with frontline therapy including bortezomib-treated patients was 13.8 months and only 4.0 months for those receiving this proteosome-inhibitor as part of a salvage therapy.[11] The December 2018 published 10-year results of the GIMEMA-MMY-3006 Trial have shown benefits of combination bortezomib in patients diagnosed with MM, even those predicted to have adverse prognosis based on high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, IPSS, and/or failure to achieve CR to therapy.[17]

The median time to relapse of Filipino myeloma patients in our institution was 9.0 months (range 3-17 months), earlier compared to the progression time from a Korean perspective at 13 months.[18] Though most patients did not comply with all the stringent laboratories to earlier detect biochemical relapse due to financial challenges, most of them came on a tight follow-up schedule. Understanding the non-curative nature of MM and the limited set of treatment available in our setting as of the moment, patients’ commitment to strict follow-up schedule contributed significantly to the desirable results of this study. Patients did have early detection of clinical relapse and prevention of complications, and early death. This meticulous attitude and high index of suspicion of our clinicians were contributory not just to the early detection of clinical relapse but to increasing myeloma incidence in our institution as well.

Conclusion

This local retrospective analysis demonstrated the paradigm shift in the treatment modality of MM compared to 12 years ago, and the survival outcomes that has significantly improved, especially on best response to chemotherapy. Short of the ideal management in a third world country like the Philippines, we can now set our own standard of care based on the treatments available including novel agents like bortezomib and the best practices that our institution offers.

Conflict of Interest

The authors do not have any conflict of interest and have nothing to disclose.

 

 

Appendices

Appendix A.  Criteria for Diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma

Major Criteria

     Marrow plasmacytosis with >30% plasma cells

     Monoclonal globulin spike on serum protein electrophoresis >3.5 g/dL for IgG or >2.0 g/dL for IgA; 1.0 g/24-hour of k or l light chain excretion on urine electrophoresis in the absence of amyloidosis

     Plasmacytomas on tissue biopsy

Minor Criteria

     Marrow plasmacytosis 10-30%

     Monoclonal globulin spike present but less than the levels defined above

     Lytic bone lesions

     Normal IgM <0.05 g/dL, IgA <0.1 g/dL or IgG <0.6 g/dL

The diagnosis of plasma cell myeloma is confirmed when at least one major and one minor criterion or at least three minor criteria are documented in symptomatic patients with progressive disease.

The presence of features not specific for the disease, such as the following, supports the diagnosis, particularly if of recent onset: anemia, hypercalcemia, azotemia, bone demineralization, or hypoalbuminemia.

 

 

Appendix B. Staging Systems for Multiple Myeloma

Stage

Durie-Salmon System

International Prognostic Staging System (IPSS)

I

All of the following:

  • Hemoglobin value >10 g/dL
  • Serum calcium normal or <12 g/dL
  • Bone x-ray, normal bone structure, or solitary bone plasmacytoma only
  • Low M-component production rate:
  • IgG value <5 g/dL
  • IgA value <3 g/dL
  • Bence Jones protein <4 g/24 h

Serum b-2 microglobulin <3.5 mg/L

 

Serum albumin ³3.5 g/dL

 

II

Neither stage I nor stage III

Neither stage I nor stage III

III

One or more of the following:

  • Hemoglobin value <8.5 g/dL
  • Serum calcium value >12 mg/dL
  • Advanced lytic bone lesions
  • High M-component production rate
  • IgG value >7 g/dL
  • IgA value >5 g/dL
  • Bence Jones protein >12 g/24 h

Serum b-2 microglobulin 5.5 mg/L

 

Sub-classification Criteria

A Normal renal function (serum creatinine <2 mg/dL)

B Abnormal renal function (serum creatinine 2 mg/dL)

 

 

Appendix C. Response Criteria for Multiple Myeloma

Response

Criteria

Complete Response

(CR)

Negative immunofixation of serum and urine

Disappearance of any soft tissue plasmacytomas

<5% plasma cells in the bone marrow

In patients for whom only measurable disease is by serum FLC level, normal FLC ratio of 0.26 to 1.65 in addition to CR criteria is required

     -2 consecutive assessments are needed

Very Good Partial Response

(VGPR)

 

Serum and urine M component detectable by immunofixation but not on electrophoresis or 90% reduction in serum M component plus urine M component <100 mg/24 h

In patients for whom only measurable disease is by serum FLC level, >90% decrease in difference between involved and uninvolved FLC levels, in addition to VGPR criteria, is required

     -2 consecutive assessments are needed

Partial Response

(PR)

50% reduction of serum M protein and reduction in 24-hour urinary M protein by 90% or to <200 mg/24 h

If serum and urine M protein are not measurable, 50% decrease in difference between involved and uninvolved FLC levels is required in place of M protein criteria

If serum and urine M protein and serum FLC assay are not measurable, 50% reduction in bone marrow plasma cells is required in place of M protein, provided baseline percentage was 30%

In addition, if present at baseline, 50% reduction in size of soft tissue plasmacytomas is required

     -2 consecutive assessments are needed; no known evidence of progressive or new  bone lesions if radiographic studies were performed

Stable Disease

(SD)

Not meeting criteria for CR, VGPR, PR or PD

No known evidence of progressive or new bone lesions if radiographic studies were performed

Progressive Disease

(PD)

Increase of 25% from lowest response value in any of following:

Serum M component with absolute increase of 0.5 g/dL; serum M component increases of 1 g/dL are sufficient to define relapse if starting M component is 5 g/dL and/or

Urine M component (absolute increase must be 200 mg/24 h) and/or;

Only in patients without measurable serum and urine M protein levels: difference between involved and uninvolved FLC levels (absolute increase must be >10 mg/dL);

Only in patients without measurable serum and urine M protein levels and without measurable disease by FLC level, bone marrow plasma cell percentage (absolute percentage must be 10%)

Development of new or definite increase in size of existing bone lesions or soft tissue plasmacytomas

Development of hypercalcemia that can be attributed solely to plasma cell proliferative disorder

     -2 consecutive assessments before new therapy are needed

 

Appendix D. Data Collection Forms

DATA COLLECTION FORM

Patient Identifier

 

Date

Occupation

 

AgeGender

Region of Residence:

 

Highest Educational Attainment:

______ elementary

______ high school

______ college

______ post-graduate studies

______ doctoral degree

______ no formal education

Province of Residence:

Comorbid Illness:

_____ Hypertension

_____ Diabetes mellitus

_____ Coronary Artery Disease

_____ Congestive Heart Failure

_____ Bronchial Asthma

_____ Chronic Kidney Disease

_____ COPD

_____ Chronic Liver Disease

_____ Hepatitis

_____ Others (specify):

(Multiple Answers)

Medications:

 

 

Past Medical History:

_____ Previous surgery

_____ Previous hospitalization

 

Associated symptoms:

_____ weight loss

_____ palpable lymph node

_____ easy fatigability

_____ back pain

_____ Others (specify):

(Multiple Answers)

Date of Diagnosis:

 

Plasmacytoma

_____ Yes

_____ No

BMA result:

SPEP:

 

 

 

 

Β2 microglobulin:

Creatinine:

 

LDH:

 

Cytogenetics:

 

Stage of Disease (R-ISS)

_____ Stage I

_____ Stage II

_____ Stage III

Date of Treatment Initiation:

 

BMT

_____ Yes

_____ No

Bisphosphonate:

_____ Zoledronic acid

_____ Pamidronate

_____ None

_____ Others:

Induction Chemotherapy:

_____ Melphalan-Prednisone

_____ Bortezomib MP

_____ Bortezomib-Dexamethasone

_____ Thalidomide-Dexamethasone

_____ Bortezomib-Thal-Dex

_____ Dexamethasone

_____ Thal-Mel-Prednisone

_____ VAD

_____ Others (specify)

 

Maintenance Therapy:

_____ Thalidomide

_____ Lenalidomide

_____ Bortezomib

_____ Dexamethasone

_____ None

_____ Others:  

Radiotherapy:

_____ Yes 

_____ No

Duration of Induction Chemotherapy:

 

Duration of Maintenance Therapy:

 

Treatment Outcome

Tumor Response:

_____ Complete Response

_____ Partial Response

_____ Very Good PR

_____ Stable Disease

_____ Progressive Disease

Date of relapse:
Date of initiation of 2nd line treatment:

2nd line chemotherapy:

 

 

BMT

_____ Yes

_____ No 

Response to 2nd line treatment:

_____ Complete Response

_____ Partial Response

_____ Very Good PR

_____ Stable Disease

_____ Progressive Disease 

3rd line of treatment:

_____ Yes

_____ No

 

Response to 3rd line treatment:

_____ Complete Response

_____ Partial Response

_____ Very Good PR

_____ Stable Disease

_____ Progressive Disease 

2nd primary tumor:

_____ Yes

_____ No

Site of 2nd primary tumor:

 

Other long term side effects:

_____ cardiotoxicity

_____ pulmonary fibrosis

_____ infertility

_____ others: 

(Multiple Answers)

Date of Death:

 

Cause of Death:

 

 

Appendix E

Comparison of Survival Using Bortezomib as the Frontline Treatment

Overall Comparisons

 

Chi-Square

df

Sig.

Log Rank (Mantel-Cox)        

9.600

1

.002

Breslow (Generalized Wilcoxon)

7.966

1

.005

Tarone-Ware                  

8.732

1

.003

Test of equality of survival distributions for the different levels of frontline bortezomib

 

At alpha = 5%, PFS of group [11] (50.3) is greater than that of group [10] (28.7) since p-value = 0.002.

 

Comparison of Survival of Using Bortezomib for the Salvage Treatment

Overall Comparisons

 

Chi-Square

df

Sig.

Log Rank (Mantel-Cox)        

3.785

1

.049

Breslow (Generalized Wilcoxon)

1.915

1

.166

Tarone-Ware                  

2.689

1

.101

Test of equality of survival distributions for the different levels of salvage bortezomib

At alpha = 5%, PFS of group [21] is significantly different from that of group [20] since p-value = 0.049.

 

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