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BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a disease with unspecific initial symptoms which may lead into a delay in the diagnosis, seemingly increasing the risk of complications and in turn reducing the overall survival (OS). OBJECTIVE: To analyze the consequences of a delayed diagnosis of MM in both the OS and the progression-free survival (PFS) of the patients in a single center in México. METHODS: The study included patients with MM who were diagnosed at Clínica Ruiz, Puebla, México, between 1983 and 2022. According to the time elapsed between the onset of symptoms to the establishment of the definite diagnosis of MM, 4 groups were constructed: 1) Less than 3 months, 2) 3-6 months, 3) 6-12 months, and 4) More than 12 months. RESULTS: About 136 patients had a complete clinical record and at least a 3-month follow up period. A delay in the diagnosis of MM (more than 3 months from the onset of symptoms) was recorded in 92/136 persons (68%). The median follow-up for the whole group was 24.7 months, median OS was 131.4 months, whereas median PFS was 85.4 months. There was a significant trend for being in earlier stages of the disease and being diagnosed within 3 months from the onset of symptoms (P = .049). Both OS and PFS were similar in the patients diagnosed before or after 3 months from the symptoms onset (P = .772). The 6-12 months group was the group with the better median both OS (197.4 months) and DFS (197.4) from the diagnosis. The median OS for the other groups were similar among them. CONCLUSION: A delay in the diagnosis of MM is very frequent in México (68% of cases); despite the fact that there was a significant trend for being in earlier stages of the disease and being diagnosed within 3 months from the onset of symptoms, we did not find a relationship between a delay on the diagnosis of the disease and a higher risk of complications and/or poor prognosis. Possible explanations to these findings are discussed.

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BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) survival has increased during the last decades due to the introduction of new therapies. We investigated the intersectionality among age, sex, and race/ethnicity to better understand the pattern of MM incidence, mortality, and survival. METHODS: Puerto Rico (PR) Central Cancer Registry and the United States of America (US) Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program databases were used. We analyzed MM incidence and mortality trends from 2001 to 2019 using Joinpoint regression models to calculate annual percent change (APC). Age-standardized rate ratios (SRR) for incidence and mortality were used to compare PR with US SEER racial/ethnic groups during 2015-2019. Five-year survival analyses were also performed stratified by age and sex. RESULTS: Regardless of age and race/ethnicity, males had higher MM incidence and mortality rates than females. PR had a higher increase in incidence rates of MM than other ethnic groups, regardless of sex and age (PR APC = 4.3 among males <65, 3.1 among males ≥65, 6.3 among females <65, and 2.6 among females ≥65 years old). No significant change in mortality APCs (p > 0.05) was observed in PR when stratified by age or sex while other groups showed a decrease. Among males < 65 years, PR had significantly higher incidence rates than non-Hispanic Whites (NHW), and US Hispanics (USH). However, among both males and females ≥ 65 years, PR had significantly lower MM mortality rates than NHW, non-Hispanic Blacks (NHB), USH, and US Overall. In terms of survival, PR showed the lowest 5-year overall survival among males < 65 years (54.6%, 95% CI: 47.2-61.5) and males ≥ 65 years (34.5%, 95% CI: 29.2-39.9) but not among females. CONCLUSION: The incidence of MM in PR increased significantly over the study period, particularly among younger women. Despite the introduction of new therapies, mortality rates in PR have remained stable while other ethnic groups show significant decreases among all intersections of sex and age.

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Health equity is today an important objective to evenly reach the population among different health care systems. This article will focus on diagnosis and treatment access inequalities in Argentina. Although different aspects must be optimized to overcome access barriers worldwide, access inequalities in some regions of Argentina may depend basically on the type of health coverage or insurance. Health care in Argentina is divided into Public, Social security and Private care systems. Access to diagnosis and disease monitoring will vary according whether the patient is under each of these systems. Reducing inequalities may help target some important aspects not covered today and that may directly impact patients' outcome. Disparities in health cancer care were analyzed according to Public, Social security and Private sectors. A disadvantage in resource access, inadequate funding and limited medical infrastructures are common characteristics of the public health care systems. In our country the disparity between the public and private sectors in terms of timely diagnosis, stage of disease at diagnosis, accuracy of diagnosis, access to novel agents and transplantation is notorious, with the public sector lagging behind in access to diagnostic and treatment resources. While the Private sector has treatment outcomes comparable to those of high-income countries, challenges remain in the Public sector for patients who rely on early and accurate diagnosis and timely access to treatment. There is an urgent need to provide equitable care for multiple myeloma and CLL patients and reduce the emotional and financial consequences of the disease for the patient. A survey about diagnosis and therapeutic resources was conducted between April and May 2023 among large centers in the Public, Social security and Private systems. A total of 49 hematologists from 31 institutions from five provinces of Argentina participated in the survey. We observed differences between the different systems with more access for the Private system on genetic diagnosis (FISH-IGVH access). More CLL patients in the public and social security systems were treated with CIT reflecting the inaccessibility in these sectors of more expensive targeted therapies rather than a gap in information since the Public centers surveyed were large hospitals with knowledgeable physicians. Access to different treatments both in first-line and relapsed settings was more equitable in the treatment of multiple myeloma for the different systems with the exception of access to daratumumab in first-line that was extremely infrequent in the public coverage. With increasing cost and treatment complexity as the introduction of CARTs and BITEs for CLL and MM, the gap will probably deepen more if the problem is not treated comprehensively by all the actors of the health sector: government, physicians, patients' organizations and pharmaceutical companies.

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BACKGROUND: Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable cancer of plasma cells; the survival of which has improved over the years with the emergence of new treatments. In Brazil, the availability of treatment-regimens is different from developed countries. Real-world evidence with Brazilian patients is lacking. OBJECTIVES: Our aim was to evaluate the effectiveness and the safety of MM treatments in a Brazilian metropolis. METHODS: This was a retrospective cohort study with MM patients, beginning MM treatment from 2009 to 2020 (i.e., before bortezomib became available in public health services). Patients' medical records were revised to obtain clinical variables. The primary outcomes were Overall Survival (OS) and Progression Free Survival (PFS, measured as time to next treatment), and the secondary outcomes were Adverse Events (AE). Kaplan-Meier curves were obtained and the Cox proportional hazards model was performed for univariate and multivariate analyses. The incidence of AE was estimated and the chi-squared test was performed to evaluate the association between AE and MM regimens. RESULTS: In total, 278 patients participated in the study with median age of 64 years; 50.4 % were females, 55.8 % attended a private clinic, 34.9 % received autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) and 32.4 % were on polypharmacy. Most patients from public services used thalidomide-based regimens (40.3 %) and at private clinics used bortezomib-based regimens (38.1 %) as first-line treatment. Patients had a median OS of 99 months. Patients had median PFS of 28 months in first-line treatment, which was significantly different for age (p = 0.0055), polypharmacy (p = 0.0094) and ASCT (p < 0.0001). PFS was independently associated to polypharmacy and ASCT. The incidence of peripheral neuropathy (39.6 %) was high. In contrast, the incidence of severe AE was low. We found significant difference between first-line T + B-based regimens and leukopenia (p = 0.012). CONCLUSION: Our study showed that patients on polypharmacy and who did not receive ASCT had worse PFS. Similar to other Latin countries, most patients used thalidomide- and bortezomib-based regimens as first-line treatments having similar OS and PFS. Treatments were considered relatively safe, especially regarding serious AE.

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INTRODUCTION: Multiple myeloma in Latin America (LATAM) face multiple challenges related to the lack of resources according to low- and middle-income in the region. AREAS COVERED: in this narrative review, several aspects of myeloma multiple epidemiology, diagnostic methods and risk stratification, medication commonly employed, and treatment results in LATAM are discussed. CONCLUSION: Patients usually are diagnosed in an advanced stage of the disease, and routine and risk evaluations are usually not ideal due to lack of access to different studies. Treatment is limited in many cases to the use of thalidomide and dexamethasone with and without cyclophosphamide. Access to autologous stem cell transplantation is far from ideal. Efforts must be made at the national health system level in our countries to offer our vast majority of MM patients a real chance to improve results in the diagnostic, risk stratification, and treatment. Currently, several groups in our region are working to make an impact in the field of MM.

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This is a paired case-control study that sought to verify the association between professions and lymphohematopoietic cancers in a public reference hospital in the State of Ceará, Brazil, during 2019-2021. Case group consisted of hematological patients with multiple myeloma, leukemias or non-Hodgkin lymphomas, monitored by the social service of a bone marrow transplant hospital unit (n = 114), whereas comparable individuals from a different hospital unit made up the control group (n = 114), forming 1:1 pairs. Diagnosis was performed by a medical team and the variables were measured by accessing hospital records. Group comparison was conducted using bivariate conditional logistic regression and adjusted by region of residence. Results show that multiple myeloma (43.9%), leukemias (43%) and non-Hodgkin lymphomas (13.2%) were the cancer with the highest prevalence in the case group. Proportions of jobs, area of residence, water supply and Regional Superintendence of Health showed statistically significant difference between the case and control groups. Rural workers were more likely to present the cancers studied (ORraw = 5.00, 95%CI: 1.91; 13.06 and ORadjusted = 3.38, 95%CI: 1.20; 9.54), whereas trade workers had lower odds (ORraw = 0.26, 95%CI: 0.10; 0.70 and ORadjusted = 0.30, 95%CI: 0.10; 0.88). The findings allow us to reflect on the process of illness among rural workers and illustrate the potential of health services to contribute to investigations on occupational exposures.

Trata-se de um estudo do tipo caso-controle pareado com o objetivo de verificar a associação entre ocupações e cânceres linfohematopoiéticos em um hospital público de referência no Estado do Ceará, Brasil, durante 2019-2021. O grupo caso foi constituído por pacientes hematológicos que apresentavam mieloma múltiplo, leucemias ou linfomas não Hodgkin, acompanhados pelo serviço social de uma unidade hospitalar de transplante de medula óssea (n = 114), enquanto indivíduos comparáveis de unidade hospitalar distinta constituíram o grupo controle (n = 114), formando pares 1:1. O diagnóstico foi efetuado por equipe médica e as variáveis foram aferidas por acesso aos registros hospitalares. Comparamos os grupos em regressão logística condicional bivariada e ajustada por região de residência. Entre os resultados, destacamos que o câncer de maior prevalência no grupo caso foi o mieloma múltiplo (43,9%), seguido pelas leucemias (43%) e por linfomas não Hodgkin (13,2%). Proporções de ocupações, zona de residência, abastecimento de água e Superintendência Regional de Saúde de residência apresentaram diferença estatisticamente significante entre os grupos caso e controle. Verificamos que trabalhadores rurais possuíam maiores chances de apresentar os cânceres estudados (ORbruto = 5,00, IC95%: 1,91; 13,06 e ORajustado = 3,38, IC95%: 1,20; 9,54), enquanto trabalhadores do comércio apresentaram menores chances (ORbruto = 0,26, IC95%: 0,10; 0,70 e ORajustado = 0,30, IC95%: 0,10; 0,88). Os achados deste estudo possibilitam reflexões sobre o processo de adoecimento dos trabalhadores rurais e refletem o potencial dos serviços de saúde em contribuir com investigações sobre exposições ocupacionais.

Se trata de un estudio del tipo caso control apareado con el objetivo de verificar la asociación entre ocupaciones y cánceres linfohematopoyéticos en un hospital público de referencia en el estado de Ceará, Brasil, durante el período 2019-2021. El grupo caso estaba formado por pacientes hematológicos que presentaban mieloma múltiple, leucemias o linfomas no Hodgkin, bajo seguimiento por parte del servicio social de una unidad hospitalaria de trasplante de médula ósea (n = 114), mientras que individuos comparables de otra unidad hospitalaria constituyeron el grupo control (n = 114), formando pares 1:1. El diagnóstico fue realizado por un equipo médico, y las variables se midieron accediendo a los registros hospitalarios. Comparamos los grupos en regresión logística condicional bivariada y ajustada por región de residencia. Entre los resultados, destacamos que el cáncer de mayor prevalencia en el grupo caso fue el mieloma múltiple (43,9%), seguido de las leucemias (43%) y los linfomas no Hodgkin (13,2%). Las proporciones de ocupaciones, zona de residencia, abastecimiento de agua y Superintendencia Regional de Salud de residencia presentaron diferencia estadísticamente significativa entre los grupos caso y control. Constatamos que los trabajadores rurales tenían más probabilidades de padecer los cánceres estudiados (ORcrudo = 5,00, IC95%: 1,91; 13,06 y ORajustado = 3,38, IC95%: 1,20; 9,54), mientras que los trabajadores del comercio presentaron menos posibilidades (ORcrudo = 0,26, IC95%: 0,10; 0,70 y ORajustado = 0,30, IC95%: 0,10; 0,88). Los hallazgos de este estudio permiten reflexiones sobre el proceso de enfermedad de los trabajadores rurales y reflejan el potencial de los servicios de salud para contribuir a las investigaciones sobre exposiciones ocupacionales.

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PURPOSE: Infections are a significant cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). In Latin America, data on infectious complications in this patient population are lacking. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of patients with newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) in seven Latin American countries between June 2019 and May 2020. Patients with active disease, on active therapy, and with a follow-up of 6 months from the time of diagnosis were included. Our primary end point was the number of infectious events that required hospitalization for ≥ 24 hours. RESULTS: Of 248 patients with NDMM, 89 (35.9%) had infectious complications (113 infectious events), the majority (67.3%) within the first 3 months from diagnosis. The most common sites of infection were respiratory (38%) and urinary tract (31%). The microbial agent was identified in 57.5% of patients with gram-negative bacteria (73.5%) as the most common pathogen. Viral infections were infrequent, and no patients with fungal infection were reported. In the multivariable analysis, diabetes mellitus (odds ratio [OR], 2.71; 95% CI, 1.23 to 6.00; P = .014), creatinine ≥ 2 mg/dL (OR, 4.87; 95% CI, 2.29 to 10.35; P < .001), no use of trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole prophylaxis (OR, 6.66; 95% CI, 3.43 to 12.92; P < .001), and treatment with immunomodulatory drugs (OR, 3.02; 95% CI, 1.24 to 6.29; P = .003) were independent factors associated with bacterial infections. At 6 months, 21 patients (8.5%) had died, 47.6% related to infectious complications. CONCLUSION: Bacterial infections are a substantial cause of hospital admissions and early death in patients with NDMM. Antibiotic prophylaxis should be considered to reduce infectious complications in patients with MM.

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INTRODUCTION: Multiple Myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematological cancer, several cytogenetics abnormalities such as t(4;14), del (17p), and t(14;16) were identified as a high-risk for survival, in Latin America, we have very little data on cytogenetic alterations in MM. This study describes the incidence of high-risk cytogenetically abnormalities in a Colombian population and prognostic significance. METHODS: In a retrospective cohort of new diagnostic Multiple Myeloma between 2016 and 2020, we identified a high-risk cytogenetically abnormalities t(4;14), t(14;16), and 17p deletions by FISH techniques and described incidence. We followed patients until progression or death and comparing progression free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS), according with high- risk cytogenetically features. RESULTS: We included 135 newly diagnosed MM patients, the incidence of high-risk cytogenetically abnormalities were 30.3%, with 17.1% of 17p deletions, 14.1% of t(4;14) and 2.25% of t(14;16). According to the high risk cytogenetically abnormalities, the median PFS for the group of no abnormalities were 50.2 months 95% CI [25.2-62.4] and for the group of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities 33.9 months 95% CI [23.6-NA] (P = .2). For OS the median were 76.9 months, 95% CI [67.5-NA] and 42.7 months 95% CI [33.3-NA], respectively (P = .009). CONCLUSION: High-risk cytogenetically abnormalities were independent risk factor for OS but not PFS in this cohort of patients, and the incidence of del (17p) was slightly higher than the literature reports.  MICROABSTRACT: Prognostic significance of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities in Multiple Myeloma in Colombia is unknown. In a retrospective cohort study of 135 newly, diagnostic Multiple Myeloma we found incidence of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities was 30.3%. The hazard ratio (HR) for disease progression or death compared high-risk cytogenetic group vs. control was 1.22, (95% CI, 0.73-2.05) (P = .2), and The HR for death for the group of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities was 2.17, (95% CI, 1.19-3.97). In the group of high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, if the patient received VRD as induction treatment the median PFS were 41.2 months 95% CI [13.3-NA] and 33.9 months 95% CI [24.9-NA] for patients with different induction treatment (P = .56).

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INTRODUCTION/BACKGROUND: Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell derived clonal disorder that represents around 1% of all newly diagnosed neoplasms. Limited data regarding MM treatment in Latin America is available, and access to novel agents for a substantial portion of the population is limited by their high costs. MATERIALS (OR PATIENTS) AND METHODS: RENEHOC is a bidirectional (retrospective and prospective) multicenter observational registry of hematological malignancies in Colombia. MM patients included up to July 2020 were analyzed on this report. RESULTS: 890 are reported with a median follow-up of 18 months (IQR: 7-42 months). Patients were classified by age group (≤ or > 65 years). Median age at diagnosis was 67 years (IQR: 59-75 years) and 47.1% of patients were women. 709 patients (79.6%) received Bortezomib-based schemes as part of the first line. Two hundred and fifty-two patients (28.3%) were consolidated with Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation (ASCT) in first-line. ASCT consolidation and age were the main independent factors influencing outcomes; in the non-ASCT cohort, 5-year overall survival was 48.7% (CI 41.8-55.2) compared to 80.7% (CI 73-86.4) in ASCT patients. CONCLUSION: This data depicts the reality of MM in Colombia, which likely reflects other Latin American countries, where access barriers to diagnosis and treatment are echoed in advanced stage diagnosis and a low rate of transplants. These seem to negatively impact survival despite the availability of most novel drugs approved for this disease. Thus, emphasizing the paradox that prevails in most of the region: availability without equitable access.

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