Effect of initial treatment on health-related quality of life in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma without immediate stem cell transplant intent: results from the Connect(R) MM Registry

Although new multiple myeloma (MM) therapies are effective in alleviating some disease-associated symptoms (e.g. bone pain, fatigue, functional decline), they can result in additional toxicities, further impacting health-related quality of life (HRQoL). Here, we compared HRQoL and safety of lenalidomide-bortezomib-dexamethasone [RVd (n = 445)], bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone [VMP (n = 77)] and Vd or VMP (n = 588) in patients with newly diagnosed MM (NDMM) from the Connect(R) MM Registry, a large, USA, multicentre, prospective observational cohort study. Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Multiple Myeloma subscale, EuroQol-5D overall score and Bone Pain Inventory HRQoL scores were significantly improved with RVd versus Vd/VMP. Serious adverse event rates were similar in all groups. Treatment with RVd maintained HRQoL in this real-world, largely community-based population of patients with NDMM.

Automated summary

RVd treatment significantly improved HRQoL compared to Vd/VMP in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients, with similar rates of serious adverse events across all groups. RVd treatment maintained HRQoL in this real-world, largely community-based population of NDMM patients.