Unequal Outcomes in Transplant Eligible Patients with Multiple Myeloma in Latin America: Differences between Public and Private Centers

Background Multiple myeloma (MM) is a frequent hematologic malignancy. The current gold standard frontline strategy includes a proteasome inhibitor (PI)-based induction, followed by autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Access to novel drugs in Latin America (LA) is limited. ASCT is available in most countries, but real access to it is highly heterogeneous. Data regarding patients´ outcomes in candidates to ASCT in the region is scarce. The aim of this study was to describe clinical characteristics and outcomes of MM transplant eligible patients in LA countries. Material and Methods Retrospective international multicenter cohort study. Consecutive MM transplant- eligible patients diagnosed between 2010 and 2018 from participating centers in Chile, Argentina, Ecuador, Mexico, Colombia, and Uruguay were included. Data were collected from clinical records in a standardized report form. We analyzed clinical characteristics at diagnosis and frontline therapy outcomes, including ASCT. Transplant-eligible patients were defined as fit patients younger than 66 years old. Active MM and response to treatment were defined according to current IMWG criteria. Inclusion criteria: 1.- Patients with newly diagnosed active MM between 2010 and 2018. 2.- Older than 18 years, and younger than 66 years. 3- Candidates for ASCT according to the evaluation of the attending physician Exclusion criteria: 1- Lack of minimum data in the clinical history 2- Plasma cell leukemia, AL amyloidosis or solitary plasmacytoma. 3- HIV infection 4-No consent and/or Ethics Committee approvals. Statistical analysis A descriptive statistic has been done. Comparisons of characteristics between groups was made usingT-student, Chi2 or ANOVA, as appropriate. Survival analysis was performed using Kaplan-Meier curves. Comparisons of survival between groups were made by the logarithmic recording method and the calculations of the risk relationships by Cox regression. Statistical analysis was performed by using STATA 13. Results We included 1293 patients in the study, 363 from Chile, 395 from Argentina, 209 from Colombia, 45 from Ecuador, 151 from Mexico, and 130 from Uruguay. The main characteristics at diagnosis and therapeutic strategies are shown in Table 1. Optimal response (sCR, CR and VGPR) was achieved in 38% of the patients in the cyclophosphamide, bortezomib, and dexamethasone (CyBorD) group, in 46% in the bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (VTD) group, and in 36% in the cyclophosphamid