Impact of age on survival after intensive therapy for multiple myeloma: a population-based study by the Nordic Myeloma Study Group.
The value of intensive therapy, including autologous stem cell transplantation, in newly diagnosed myeloma patients >60 years is not clear. We evaluated the impact of age (<60 years vs. 60-64 years) on survival in a prospective, population-based setting and compared survival with conventionally treated historic controls. The prospective population comprised 452 patients registered between 1998 and 2000. Of these, 414 received intensive therapy. The historic population, derived from our most recent population-based study on conventional therapy, comprised 281 patients. Of these, 243 fulfilled our eligibility criteria for intensive therapy. For patients undergoing intensive therapy it was found that two factors, beta-2-microglobulin and age <60 years vs. 60-64 years, had independent prognostic impact on survival. However, compared with the historic controls a survival advantage was found both for patients <60 (median 66 months vs. 43 months, P < 0.001) and 60-64 years (median 50 months vs. 27 months; P = 0.001). We conclude that in a population-based setting higher age adversely influences outcome after intensive therapy. Our results indicate that intensive therapy prolongs survival also at age 60-64 years but with less superiority than in younger patients.
Lenhoff
Stig
S
Lund University Hospital, Lund, Sweden. stig.lenhoff@skane.se
Hjorth
Martin
M
Westin
Jan
J
Brinch
Lorentz
L
Bäckström
Bengt
B
Carlson
Kristina
K
Christiansen
Ilse
I
Dahl
Inger Marie
IM
Gimsing
Peter
P
Hammerström
Jens
J
Johnsen
Hans E
HE
Juliusson
Gunnar
G
Linder
Olle
O
Mellqvist
Ulf-Henrik
UH
Nesthus
Ingerid
I
Nielsen
Johan Lanng
JL
Tangen
Jon Magnus
JM
Turesson
Ingemar
I
D000367:Age Factors; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor / Q000097:blood; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004812:Epidemiologic Methods; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D036102:Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation; D011379:Prognosis; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin / Q000097:blood
D014408:Biomarkers, Tumor; D001613:beta 2-Microglobulin; D014750:Vincristine; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004317:Doxorubicin; D008558:Melphalan