Overview
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a complex blood cancer that requires accurate staging to plan effective treatment and predict outcomes. The current standard, the Revised International Staging System (R-ISS), uses measures like beta-2 microglobulin (B2M), albumin, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), and certain high-risk genetic markers. However, R-ISS does not consider the combined effect of multiple genetic abnormalities or extra copies of chromosome 1q21 (gain1q). This leads to 62% of patients being classified in a broad R-ISS Stage II with varying prognoses.
To improve on this, two new staging systems have been proposed: the Mayo Additive Staging System (MASS) and the Second Revision of the International Staging System (R2-ISS). These new systems aim to provide better risk assessment by including the additional risks from multiple genetic abnormalities and gain1q. This study aims to validate the effectiveness of MASS and R2-ISS in a large and diverse US population and to compare their performance against R-ISS.
This study is the first to compare and validate the MASS and R2-ISS systems in a large, diverse US population receiving modern treatment. Previous research on these systems was limited to small, single-center studies primarily from China and Japan, with only one US study focusing on a different patient group. By examining these new staging methods in a broader and diverse cohort, this study aims to enhance the accuracy of prognosis and treatment planning for multiple myeloma patients, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Why this matters
This study is the first to compare and validate the MASS and R2-ISS systems in a large, diverse US population receiving modern treatment. Previous research on these systems was limited to small, single-center studies primarily from China and Japan, with only one US study focusing on a different patient group. By examining these new staging methods in a broader and diverse cohort, this study aims to enhance the accuracy of prognosis and treatment planning for multiple myeloma patients, ultimately improving patient outcomes.