Racial Differences in Outcomes Among Patients with Multiple Myeloma Treated at a Myeloma Center of Excellence: A...

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a hematologic malignancy of monoclonal plasma cells. Black individuals have a higher incidence of MM than other races, and numerous studies have described potential disparities in myeloma care. In this retrospective study, we investigated outcomes of MM within a single academic institution with a dedicated myeloma Center of Excellence in a rural state. Data from a single academic institution's cancer registry was analyzed for patients diagnosed with MM between 2015 and 2024. Demographic, treatment, and outcome data were collected. The association between survival and race was examined using bivariate analyses, a log-rank test, and both univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards modeling. No statistically significant differences in 1-, 3-, and 5-year survival rates between the racial groups were observed. Medicaid insurance, higher age at diagnosis, active cancer status, negative family history of cancer, decreased alcohol use, and higher comorbidity burden were found to be significantly associated with increased mortality, independent of race. Our study found that Black patients with MM treated at this single academic institution with a dedicated myeloma center had similar survival rates when compared to White patients. Centralized care and dedicated Centers of Excellence may help mitigate racial disparities in myeloma care.