iPREFER: Patients' Experiences and Preference of Treatment for Multiple Myeloma Following Multiple Lines of Treatment...

Each year in the United Kingdom, approximately 6000 people are diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma (MM) and treated with targeted cancer drugs. The duration and frequency of these treatments vary and include oral, intravenous (IV), and subcutaneous administration. Patients often undergo multiple lines of treatment and live with uncertainty spanning years and decades. This study (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06322927) explores the experiences of people receiving treatment for MM, what matters most when making treatment decisions, and what influences their treatment preference.

This was a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews. Patients were eligible if they had a confirmed MM diagnosis and received at least five lines of treatment. Interviews focused on their extensive experiences of multiple lines of oral anti-cancer and bispecific antibody treatment, or IV therapy, and were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.

Four key themes were identified from nine interviews: "Living with MM and its impact on quality of life", portrays the relentless challenges and side effects of MM; "Factors influencing treatment decision making" outlines the importance of family, shared decision-making and information needs; "Factors influencing treatment experience", including practical challenges, and self-management; and "Treatment preference" explores participants' perceptions of treatment within the context of their own circumstances. Participants showed a willingness and tolerance to accept treatments that significantly impact their everyday life, quality of life, and relationships, to achieve their goals of care.

The findings highlight the need for healthcare professionals to better understand individual patient circumstances and priorities, inform them of the treatment impact on their priorities to empower patients to choose the right treatment for them and improve quality of life. More research is needed to understand how to integrate this into the clinical care pathway.