Relationship of Treatment Effects On Hemoglobin and M-Protein Levels in Relapsed or Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Final Analysis of a Retrospective Chart Review Study

• Published in: Blood 2009-11, Vol.114 (22), p.4892-4892
• Main Authors: Reece, Donna E., Zaman, Faraz, Trieu, Young, Rodriguez, Giovanni Piza, Teixeira, Bruno, Yoong, Kim, Camacho, Fernando, Plante, Richard K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 0006-4971; 1528-0020
• DOI: 10.1182/blood.V114.22.4892.4892

Abstract 4892 In multiple myeloma (MM), hemoglobin (Hb) levels have long been part of staging of the disease and an important determinant in assessing treatment options, response to therapy and prognosis. The causes of a low Hb level are complex, but reflect in part the extent of myeloma cell infiltration in the bone marrow. Changes in the level of the monoclonal immunoglobulin protein in the blood and/or urine (M protein) serve as the main surrogate marker for response to treatment and progression of disease in the majority of patients (pts). This analysis explores the longitudinal relationship between treatment response (using M protein levels from serum protein electrophoresis [SPEP] results) and Hb levels. This retrospective chart review included all pts who initiated drug treatment for relapsed/refractory MM between Jan-06 and Dec-07, inclusive, at Princess Margaret Hospital, Toronto, ON. Hb and M protein (SPEP) results were collected before the start of each treatment cycle. These results were then plotted over time to explore the association between these 2 variables. 136 of 281 (48.4%) of pts treated for relapsed/refractory MM had at least one simultaneous measurement of Hb and serum M protein levels and were included in the analysis. Mean age was 66 (SD±9.7) years, 65% of pts were male. More than half (63.2%) of the pts were receiving treatment for 1st MM relapse. Treatments for relapsed/refractory MM included cyclophosphamide ± steroids (33.1%), bortezomib-based regimens (20.6%), thalidomide-based regimens (26.5%), steroid monotherapy (15.4%), and other regimens (4.4 %). Patients received between 1 and 17 cycles of therapy (mean = 2.5 ± 2.9 cycles). Supportive care measures included erythropoiesis stimulating agents (ESAs) in 33.8% [mean dose was 488 (SD±23) μg q3 weeks and 42,343 (SD±7,768) IU weekly for darbepoetin alfa and Epoetin alfa, respectively], RBC and/or platelet transfusions in 17% (14.1% RBC and 6.7% platelets), and G-CSF in 7.4% of pts. The plot below (Figure 1) demonstrates a decrease in serum M protein levels over time and an inverse relationship between Hb and serum M protein levels. Both the decrease of serum M protein levels (p-value