A systematic review on the epidemiology and treatment options of multiple Myeloma in Asia

Multiple myeloma (MM) accounts for almost 15 % of all neoplastic malignancies around the globe. This systematic review intends to analyse data on the treatment and management of MM in selected regions in Asia to identify and prioritize areas that need attention. A comprehensive review of original articles, published in English from 2005 to 2022, derived from the PubMed/MEDLINE database was conducted based on the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. There were 98 studies from select regions of Asia (China, India, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Singapore) on newly diagnosed MM and relapsed/refractory MM. This review evaluated the trends in disease outcomes with the gradual shift in treatment regimens from doublet to triplet. Additionally, this review also explored autologous stem cell transplant outcome and anti-B-cell maturation antigen (BCMA) chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T-cell therapy in MM patients. This is the first systematic review attempting to collect data on the utility and comparison of innovative agents and modifications in treatment regimens in the context of the Asian population. This review established that the body of evidence for the management of MM was generally of poor quality and there is a need for more versatile studies in the region. Novel and innovative drug regimens may help in combating the illness but consorted efforts by researchers, industry partners, policymakers, and the government are key factors in the long-term survival of MM patients. In the current systematic review, the authors have tried to give a comprehensive account of the available treatments, trends in MM management and prognosis for MM in Asia.