Our summary
Despite advancements in multiple myeloma (MM) treatment, relapse remains common for nearly all patients. Surprisingly, few studies have looked into the inequities in later stages of MM treatment, especially concerning salvage treatments and new drug development & utilization.
This study aimed to assess whether patients received autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), chimeric antigen receptor T-cell therapy (CAR-T), or participated in clinical trials after starting their second-line (2L) MM treatment. Additionally, the study sought to identify and describe any inequities related to race/ethnicity and sociodemographic factors at the community level.
Why this matters
This research uncovered inequities in the receipt of MM treatment in the relapsed/refractory setting: Black and Latinx patients and those living in areas of lower socioeconomic status are less likely to receive advanced treatments like CAR-T cell therapy, stem cell transplantation and participate in clinical trials. These findings highlight persistent inequalities in the entire MM patient journey and underscore the limited access to new MM treatments in the relapsed setting for patients of certain racial/ethnic groups and sociodemographic characteristics. Addressing these inequities is essential for ensuring equal and effective MM treatment for all patients.