Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 20, 2025
Establishment of a Human Multiple Myeloma Xenograft Model in the Chicken to Study Tumor Growth, Invasion and Angiogenesis
Published on: May 1, 2015
Characteristics and Clinical Outcomes of Multiple Myeloma in Adolescents and Young Adults
Ayobami Olafimihan1, Chiamaka Nwachukwu2, Inimfon Jackson3
1Department of General Internal Medicine, John H. Stroger Jr. Hospital of Cook County, Chicago, Illinois, USA.
Introduction:
Though evidence suggests that multiple myeloma (MM) in adolescents and young adults (AYA) (< 50 years) has significant biological differences from that in older individuals (≥ 50 years), the understanding of the disease in this group is limited. We examined the outcomes in AYA hospitalizations with MM.
Methods:
Using the National Inpatient Sample database, we examined sociodemographic, hospital-level, and clinical characteristics between AYA and older populations with MM.
Results:
Among 183 846 non-elective MM hospitalizations, 13 765 (7.5%) were AYA. There was a higher proportion of males in the AYA group compared to the older group (58.6% vs. 54.8%, p < 0.001) but a lower distribution of non-Hispanic Whites (40.6% vs. 56.7%, p < 0.001). The AYA group had lower odds of mortality (aOR: 0.59, p < 0.001) relative to the older adult group. They were more likely to receive autologous stem cell transplantation (aOR: 1.80, p < 0.001) but had similar odds of acute venous thromboembolism (aOR: 0.87; p = 0.24) and severe sepsis (aOR: 0.89; p = 0.52).
Conclusion:
We highlight the unique characteristics and outcomes of AYA-MM, emphasizing the need for their greater representation in clinical research. Additionally, we underscore the importance of further investigation to better understand and optimize survivorship care in AYA patients with MM.
Insights
Adolescents and young adults (AYA) with multiple myeloma (MM) have unique characteristics and better outcomes, including lower mortality and higher rates of stem cell transplantation. Further research is needed to optimize their survivorship care.
Area of Science:
- Hematology
- Oncology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Multiple myeloma (MM) exhibits distinct biological differences in adolescents and young adults (AYA, <50 years) compared to older individuals (≥50 years).
- Limited understanding exists regarding the specific characteristics and outcomes of MM in the AYA population.
- This study addresses the knowledge gap concerning AYA MM by examining hospitalization data.
Purpose of the Study:
- To compare the sociodemographic, hospital-level, and clinical characteristics of AYA patients with MM to older adult patients.
- To analyze and contrast the outcomes, including mortality and treatment patterns, between AYA and older adult MM patient cohorts.
- To highlight the unique aspects of AYA MM to advocate for increased representation in clinical research.
Main Methods:
- Utilized the National Inpatient Sample database for comprehensive analysis.
- Examined a large cohort of non-elective hospitalizations for multiple myeloma.
- Compared characteristics and outcomes between AYA (<50 years) and older adult (≥50 years) MM patient groups.
Main Results:
- Adolescents and young adults constituted 7.5% of the 183,846 non-elective MM hospitalizations.
- AYA patients showed a higher proportion of males and a lower distribution of non-Hispanic Whites compared to older adults.
- AYA patients had significantly lower odds of mortality (aOR: 0.59) and higher odds of receiving autologous stem cell transplantation (aOR: 1.80) than older adults.
Conclusions:
- Adolescents and young adults with multiple myeloma exhibit unique demographic and clinical profiles.
- AYA patients experience better outcomes, including reduced mortality and increased utilization of stem cell transplantation.
- Emphasizes the critical need for greater AYA representation in clinical research and further investigation into optimizing survivorship care for this population.
More Related Videos
05:32Multimodal Bioluminescent and Positronic-emission Tomography/Computational Tomography Imaging of Multiple Myeloma Bone Marrow Xenografts in NOG Mice
Published on: January 7, 2019
09:41An Organotypic High Throughput System for Characterization of Drug Sensitivity of Primary Multiple Myeloma Cells
Published on: July 15, 2015
Related Concept Videos
01:15Differentiation of Common Myeloid Progenitor Cells
01:22Bone Marrow Sampling and Transplants
The transplant begins with high doses of chemotherapy and radiation treatment, which aim to destroy...
02:56Treatment Resistant Cancers
01:29Bone Disorders
Bone deposition is also affected by the levels of sex hormones like estrogen and testosterone that promote osteoblast activity and bone matrix synthesis. When the level of these hormones decreases due to aging, it causes a reduction in bone deposition. As a result, bone resorption by osteoclasts...