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Multiple Myeloma in Older Adults

  • Geriatric Oncology (TM Wildes, Section Editor)
  • Published:
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Abstract

Multiple myeloma is a disease of older adults, with two-thirds of patients aged ≥ 65 years and having varying comorbidities, functional status, and cognitive status. Patients ≥ 65 are usually considered ineligible for transplant. The introduction of novel agents, including immunomodulatory drugs such as lenalidomide and proteasome inhibitors such as bortezomib and carfilzomib, has improved treatment tolerance and resulted in improved outcomes for older patients. We present an individualized approach for older patients, “staging” patient age using Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment (CGA) to stratify into fit, unfit and frail groups to guide treatment decisions, including whether or not to transplant, use two-drug versus three-drug combinations, or use reduced-intensity regimens.

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Conflict of Interest

Saleha Sajid declares that she has no conflict of interest.

Andrzej Jakubowiak has received compensation from Bristol-Myers Squibb for service as a consultant; compensation from Celgene for service as a consultant and on a speaker’s bureau; compensation from Janssen-Cilag for service as a consultant and for serving on an advisory board; compensation from Millennium for serving on an advisory board; compensation from Onyx Pharmaceuticals for service as a consultant, on a speaker’s bureau, and on an advisory board; and compensation from Novartis for service as a consultant.

William Dale declares that he has no conflict of interest.

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This article does not contain any studies with human or animal subjects performed by any of the authors.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Medicine, Sections of Hematology/Oncology and Geriatrics & Palliative Medicine, University of Chicago, 5841 South Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    Saleha Sajid

  2. Department of Medicine, Section of Hematology/Oncology, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    Andrzej Jakubowiak

  3. Department of Medicine, Section of Geriatrics and Palliative Medicine, University of Chicago, 5841 S Maryland Avenue, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA

    William Dale

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  1. Saleha Sajid
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Correspondence to Saleha Sajid.

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Sajid, S., Jakubowiak, A. & Dale, W. Multiple Myeloma in Older Adults. Curr Geri Rep 3, 200–208 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13670-014-0096-3

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