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Updated: Dec 15, 2025
Establishment of a Human Multiple Myeloma Xenograft Model in the Chicken to Study Tumor Growth, Invasion and Angiogenesis
Published on: May 1, 2015
Multiple myeloma: Current and future management in the aging population
Despina Fotiou1, Ioannis Ntanasis-Stathopoulos1, Maria Gavriatopoulou1
1Alexandra Hospital, Oncology Department, Department of Therapeutics, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Vasilissis Sophias 80, 11528 Athens, Greece.
Abstract:
The increasing lifespan of the world population and the novel therapeutic combinations for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), which are more efficacious and safer, make the question of how to manage the older patient with MM increasingly relevant. Clinical trial data come mostly from subgroup analysis, as no clinical trials have been designed for elderly patients with MM, particularly the octogenarian population. Age has been traditionally used as a surrogate marker of physiological decline but does not accurately reflect frailty on its own. Validated frailty assessment tools that accurately and sensitively risk-stratify older MM patients are needed. Such tools are being increasingly incorporated into clinical trial design. We should aim to use them to offer a tailored therapeutic approach to this heterogeneous subgroup of the MM population. Risk stratification based on disease-specific and patient-specific characteristics helps set the relevant outcome measures and therapeutic goals that will allow the right choice of treatment. The treatment goal for all patients should be to prolong survival and preserve quality of life. In the fit old MM patient, good responses can be achieved by carefully selecting candidates for autologous stem cell transplant and novel triplet or quadruplet combinations. At the other end of the spectrum, quality-of-life outcome measures and toxicity minimization with dose adaptation should be the focus.
Insights
Managing older patients with multiple myeloma (MM) is crucial. Frailty assessment tools are needed to tailor treatments for elderly MM patients, balancing survival and quality of life.
Area of Science:
- Geriatric Medicine
- Hematology
- Oncology
Background:
- Increasing global lifespan necessitates specialized care for elderly multiple myeloma (MM) patients.
- Current MM treatments and clinical trials often lack specific data for older populations, especially octogenarians.
- Chronological age alone is insufficient for assessing physiological decline in older adults.
Purpose of the Study:
- To highlight the need for validated frailty assessment tools in managing elderly multiple myeloma (MM) patients.
- To emphasize the importance of risk stratification for tailoring therapeutic strategies in this population.
- To advocate for personalized treatment approaches that consider both disease-specific and patient-specific factors.
Main Methods:
- Review of current clinical trial data and management strategies for elderly multiple myeloma (MM) patients.
- Discussion on the limitations of using age as a sole indicator of physiological status.
- Emphasis on the integration of validated frailty assessment tools into clinical practice and trial design.
Main Results:
- Elderly MM patients represent a heterogeneous group requiring individualized care.
- Frailty assessment tools are essential for accurate risk stratification in older MM patients.
- Tailored therapeutic approaches can optimize outcomes, including survival and quality of life.
Conclusions:
- Validated frailty assessment is critical for optimizing treatment strategies in elderly multiple myeloma (MM) patients.
- Personalized risk stratification enables the selection of appropriate therapies, balancing efficacy and toxicity.
- The ultimate goals of MM management in older adults are to prolong survival and maintain quality of life.
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