What is it and What are the Facts?
Myeloma is a type of blood cancer where bone marrow produces lots of abnormal, cancerous plasma cells called myeloma cells. Plasma cells are a type of blood cell that make antibodies to fight infections whereas myeloma cells cannot fight infections. Myeloma cells can also thicken the blood, crowd the bone marrow and can damage nearby bones as well as the kidneys (Cancer Research UK, 2003).
Myeloma is sometimes called Multiple Myeloma because it can affect more than one part of the body. Multiple Myeloma may not cause any symptoms or complications to start with and is sometimes only diagnosed after a routine blood or urine test (NHS Inform, 2004). According to recent statistics:
- 6,000 people are diagnosed with Multiple Myeloma in the UK every year; this is equivalent to 16 people a day (Cancer Research UK, 2003).
- In England, it is thought that about 55% of those diagnosed will survive their myeloma for 5 years or more after diagnosis.
- Those at greater risk for Multiple Myeloma include men, adults over 60 years of age, Black populations, and those diagnosed with certain conditions that increase the number of protein molecules called immunoglobulins in the blood (NHS Inform, 2004).
Symptoms and Risk Factors
Multiple Myeloma may not cause noticeable symptoms in its early stages. However, as the disease progresses, individuals may experience:
- Bone pain or fractures: Multiple Myeloma can weaken bones, leading to bone pain, fractures, or osteoporosis.
- Fatigue: Persistent tiredness or weakness, often due to anaemia caused by a decrease in red blood cells.
- Kidney problems: Damage to the kidneys can occur, leading to symptoms such as frequent urination, thirst, and swelling.
- Recurrent infections: Weakened immune function can result in an increased susceptibility to infections (International Myeloma Foundation, 2025).
Increased Risk of Multiple Myeloma in Men and Black Populations
Research suggests variations in the incidence and outcomes of Multiple Myeloma among different gender and racial groups. While incidence rates may vary, access to care and treatment outcomes can also be influenced by socioeconomic factors. Research investigating gender disparities in the outcome of Multiple Myeloma suggested that a certain genetic change, called “IGH translocations”, which contributes to the development of Multiple Myeloma, was more common in women versus men. Meanwhile a different genetic change that also contributes to the development of Multiple Myeloma, called “hyperdiploidy” was more common in men than in women. This research concluded that gender may play a role in disease progression through differences in genetic factors, and that this should be further investigated to identify why there seems to be a higher incidence of myeloma in men (Boyd et al, 2015). Incidence of Multiple Myeloma also tends to be higher in Black populations, though the exact reason why is unclear (Cancer Research UK, 2003). Genetic predisposition, environmental factors, and access to healthcare are potential contributors to the prevalence of this disease. In 2022, researchers analyzed racial disparities in 19 Multiple Myeloma clinical trials that led to US FDA drug approvals. Their aim was to investigate if there were differences in ethnic representation and if this affected the drug approval processes. Their findings indicated significant underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic populations. Despite an overall increase in ethnic minority clinical trial participation over time, disparities persisted, especially in the representation of Black patients. This raised concerns about the generalisability of trial results to these populations. The study highlighted the importance of ensuring equitable access of novel Multiple Myeloma therapies, as well as improved understanding of treatment outcomes across diverse patient populations (Kanapuru et al, 2022).
Patient Recruitment Recommendations
Innovative Trials has had the opportunity to support several myeloma clinical trials as part of a wider Multiple Myeloma program. The team at Innovative Trials was so excited to learn that one of the drugs studied, elranatamab-bcmm, was FDA approved in August 2023 to treat a particular population of Multiple Myeloma patients (US FDA, 2023). Innovative Trials is keen to continue to support the Multiple Myeloma program and continue learning how to best support patient recruitment and retention for these clinical trials. To ensure generalisability of results and inclusivity in research and patient care it is essential to consider the following recommendations:
Tailored outreach campaigns: Develop targeted outreach campaigns to engage communities with a higher prevalence of Multiple Myeloma or relevant risk factors. Tailor messaging to address specific cultural and informational needs.
Access to specialized care: Address disparities in access to specialized Multiple Myeloma care among different racial and ethnic groups. Implement strategies to ensure equitable access to clinical trials and treatment options.
Education and awareness: Increase awareness of Multiple Myeloma symptoms, risk factors, and available resources within diverse communities through culturally appropriate educational materials and outreach efforts.
Conclusion
Multiple Myeloma Action Month serves as a crucial opportunity to raise awareness, promote early detection, and advocate for equitable access to care for individuals affected by Multiple Myeloma. By understanding the nuances of this complex disease and addressing disparities in healthcare access and outcomes, we can work towards improving outcomes and ensuring that all patients receive the support and resources they need. As research continues to advance and awareness grows, there is hope for improved outcomes and quality of life for individuals living with Multiple Myeloma. This is why Innovative Trials has partnered with the Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation to raise funds so that together, we can make a difference in the fight against this challenging disease.
References
- Cancer Research UK. (2023). About Myeloma. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/myeloma/about
- NHS Inform. (2024). Multiple Myeloma. https://www.nhsinform.scot/illnesses-and-conditions/cancer/cancer-types-in-adults/multiple-myeloma/#:~:text=In%20the%20early%20stages%2C%20multiple,a%20wide%20range%20of%20problems.
- Cancer Research UK. (2023). Myeloma statistics. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/myeloma#:~:text=There%20are%20around%206%2C000%20new,year%20(2016%2D2018).
- International Myeloma Foundation. (2025). What is multiple myeloma? https://www.myeloma.org/what-is-multiple-myeloma
- Boyd et al. (2015). Women have a lower risk of monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance-related disorders as a result of hyperdiploidy. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4545514/#:~:text=Women%20have%20a%20lower%20risk,as%20a%20result%20of%20hyperdiploidy.
- Cancer Research UK. (2003). Risks and causes of myeloma. https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/about-cancer/myeloma/risks-causes
- Kanapuru et al. (2022). Analysis of racial and ethnic disparities in multiple myeloma US FDA drug approval trials. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8941450/#:~:text=The%20underlying%20reason%20for%20the,contribute%20to%20the%20observed%20disparities.
- U.S. Food and Drug Administration. (2023). FDA Disco Burst Edition: FDA Approvals – Talvey (Talquetamab TGv6) for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. Retrieved 22nd March 2024, from https://www.fda.gov/drugs/resources-information-approved-drugs/fda-disco-burst-edition-fda-approvals-talvey-talquetamab-tgvs-relapsed-or-refractory-multiple#:~:text=On%20August%2014%2C%202023%2C%20the,including%20a%20proteasome%20inhibitor%2C%20an.
- Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation. (2024). https://themmrf.org/