Racial disparities continue to affect the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM), particularly among non-Hispanic African American (NHAA) patients, who are twice as likely to develop and die from the disease compared to non-Hispanic White (NHW) patients. This was the conclusion of a recent study published in Cancer Medicine, which analyzed Medicare beneficiaries with MM.
The study was discussed by Dr. Raymond Thertulien of Novant Health and Dr. Joseph Mikhael, Chief Medical Officer of the International Myeloma Foundation, following the 2023 American Society of Hematology Annual Meeting and Exposition. They highlighted the need to address treatment barriers and improve health equity in MM care.
The study’s findings align with previous research indicating underrepresentation of Black and Hispanic patients in MM clinical trials. Despite African Americans representing about 20% of MM patients in the U.S., they constituted only 4% of patients included in trials used to support drug approval.
The disparities in MM treatment and outcomes underscore the urgent need for comprehensive evaluation of the drivers of these disparities and for research efforts to include patients from underrepresented minority groups.
See “Racial Disparities Persist in Multiple Myeloma Treatment” by Kyle Munz on the American Journal of Managed Care website (January 26, 2024)
