Gustatory dysfunction under talquetamab therapy in multiple myeloma: a cross-sectional study of patient-reported...

The purpose of this study is to characterize patient-reported taste disturbances, recalled symptom course, nutritional changes, and quality of life in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma treated with talquetamab. This single-center cross-sectional study combined taste-strip testing with a study-specific questionnaire, EORTC QLQ-C30, and PHQ-4 in 32 patients. Analyses used recorded aggregate correct-identification counts without a normative hypogeusia classification. Symptom timing and changes since treatment initiation were recalled at one assessment. All patients reported taste disturbances during therapy. The median identification count was 2.5 (interquartile range 0.75-7.25); eight patients had no correct identifications. Twenty-three (71.9%) described onset within 14 days. Current appetite reduction was reported by 20 patients (62.5%), whose mean identification count was lower than that of the other 12 patients (2.45 versus 7.83; mean difference - 5.38, 95% confidence interval - 8.20 to - 2.57; p = 0.0006). Sixteen patients (50.0%) reported directional weight loss, with a median loss of 4.5 kg. Ten (31.3%) had considered stopping talquetamab; seven explicitly cited taste disturbance. Mean global health status was 50.5/100 and correlated with identification count (r = 0.406; p = 0.021). Taste disturbances co-occurred with substantial nutritional concerns. Lower taste-identification counts were associated with current appetite reduction and lower global health status. The findings support attention to taste-related burden but do not establish causality, sustained recovery, or effects on adherence. Prospective evaluations of supportive care are needed.