Large-scale real-life analysis of survival and usage of therapies in multiple myeloma

Survival in multiple myeloma has improved significantly in recent years, especially in young patients. We reviewed the evolution of the survival of patients with MM in three groups based on age at MM diagnosis over three time periods between 1999 and 2020 at our 12 de Octubre Hospital institution (H12O). Then, to confirm our results, we used data from TriNetx, a global health research platform that includes patients from Europe to US. Finally, we analysed differences in the patterns of treatment between networks across the world. Kaplan‒Meier analysis was used to estimate survival probabilities, and between-group differences were tested using the log-rank test and hazard ratio. For patients from H12O, the median OS was 35.61, 55.59 and 68.67 months for the 1999–2009, 2010–2014 and 2015–2020 cohorts, respectively (p = 0.0001). Among all patients included in the EMEA network, the median OS was 20.32 months versus 34.75 months from 1999–2009 versus 2010–2014. The median OS from the 2010–2014 versus 2015–2020 time cohorts was 34.75 months versus 54.43 months, respectively. In relation to the US cohort, the median OS from before 2010 versus 2010–2014 was not reached in either time cohort and neither when comparing the 2010–2014 versus 2015–2019 time cohorts. Bortezomib is the most commonly used drug in the EMEA cohort, while lenalidomide is the most commonly used drug in the US cohort. This large-scale study based on real-world data confirms the previous finding that MM patients have increased their survival in the last two decades. SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13045-023-01474-w.