Biological Effective Radiation Dose for Multiple Myeloma Palliation

Various radiation therapy (RT) dose/fractionation schedules are acceptable for palliation in multiple myeloma. Nine years of single-institution RT experience were reviewed to determine the influence of dose/fractionation and other factors pertinent to individualizing therapy.

In total, 152 items were identified from Current Procedural Terminology codes for multiple myeloma treatment from 2012 through June 30, 2021. After exclusions, 205 sites of radiation in 94 patients were reviewed. Data were captured from treatment planning and clinical records. To statistically assess the association between biological effective dose (BED₁₀) and variables of interest, BED was first dichotomized to <24 Gy versus ≥24 Gy. Multivariate analysis used SAS software and a generalized estimating equation approach to account for multiple observations per patient.

Fractions of 1.8 to 8 Gy were used in 1 to 25 fractions. Most patients had no significant toxicity. Grade 1 toxicity was more likely with greater BED radiation courses, as expected (20% vs 12% for BED <24 Gy). Pain relief was complete or very good for most sites, with <3% reporting no pain relief. Eleven sites in 9 patients required retreatment. All retreatment sites had palliation that was lasting, with a median of 22 months to last follow-up or death after repeat course (range, 0.5-106 months). There was a trend for better pain control and less risk of fracture retreatment with BED ≥24 Gy.

Most patients had good palliation without toxicity. BED ≥24 Gy caused 8% greater risk of grade 1 toxicity and trended toward better pain control plus reduced risk of fracture retreatment.