Multiple Myeloma Vaccination Patterns in a Large Health System: A Pilot Study

Immediate improvement in patient care: Auditing adherence to the British Society for Haematology guidelines on screening and management of the long-term consequences of multiple myeloma and treatment

Advances in myeloma have resulted in improved prognosis for patients. However complications of the disease and treatment, pose a risk of specific long-term consequences. An audit tool was adapted to assess adherence to the British Society for Haematology guidelines for screening and management of long-term myeloma consequences. Thereafter a screening checklist was developed to prompt the implementation of guideline recommendations, followed by a re-audit evaluating the effectiveness of the checklist. Good baseline practice was identified relating to vaccinations, herpes prophylaxis, dental assessment, bisphosphonates, calcium/ vitamin D supplementation and holistic needs assessments. However gaps in practice included monitoring of lipids, HBA1C, NT-pro-BNP/ BNP, BMI, calcium/ vitamin D and parathyroid hormone in kidney disease, endocrine screening and geriatric assessments. Re-audit demonstrated that geriatric assessment remains a gap in practice, however other standards now scored between 80 to 100% compliance, highlighting the benefits of a screening checklist, to increase adherence to recommendations.

Rates of Influenza and Pneumococcal Vaccination and Correlation With Survival in Multiple Myeloma Patients

BACKGROUND

Infections are a common reason for hospitalization and death in multiple myeloma (MM). Although pneumococcal vaccination (PV) and influenza vaccination (FV) are recommended for MM patients, data on vaccination status and outcomes are limited in MM.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We utilized data from the global, prospective, observational INSIGHT MM study to analyze FV and PV rates and associated outcomes of patients with MM enrolled 2016-2019.

RESULTS

Of the 4307 patients enrolled, 2543 and 2500 had study-entry data on FV and PV status. Overall vaccination rates were low (FV 39.6%, PV 30.2%) and varied by region. On separate multivariable analyses of overall survival (OS) by Cox model, FV in the prior 2 years and PV in the prior 5 years impacted OS (vs. no vaccination; FV: HR, 0.73; 95% CI, 0.60-0.90; P = .003; PV: HR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.42-0.63; P < .0001) when adjusted for age, region, performance status, disease stage, cytogenetics at diagnosis, MM symptoms, disease status, time since diagnosis, and prior transplant. Proportions of deaths due to infections were lower among vaccinated versus non-vaccinated patients (FV: 9.8% vs. 15.3%, P = .142; PV: 9.9% vs. 18.0%, P = .032). Patients with FV had generally lower health resource utilization (HRU) versus patients without FV; patients with PV had higher or similar HRU versus patients without PV.

CONCLUSION

Vaccination is important in MM and should be encouraged. Vaccination status should be recorded in prospective clinical trials as it may affect survival. This trial was registered at www.

CLINICALTRIALS

gov as #NCT02761187.

Vaccination during the First Diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma: A Cohort Study of the French National Health Insurance Database

Purpose: Infections are frequent and often result in serious complications in patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Prophylactic vaccination is recommended for influenza virus, Streptococcus pneumoniae (SP), and Hemophilus influenzaeb (Hib). The aims of this study were to measure the vaccination rates within 24 months after the diagnosis of multiple myeloma and to identify factors associated with vaccine use. Methods: MM patients were selected through the French national health insurance database from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2015. Patients with a previous history of MM were excluded. Results: Vaccination rates against influenza, SP, and Hib among 22,831 newly diagnosed MM patients were, respectively, 28.5%, 10.3%, and 1.4%. Only 0.7% received all three vaccines. Factors associated with vaccination were young age, male gender, an absence of comorbidity, a history of higher medication and vaccine consumption, Herpes simplex virus (HSV), Varicella zoster virus (VZV), and the use of pneumocystis prophylaxis. Conclusion: The low rates of vaccination indicate the need to improve physician and MM patient adherence and education regarding vaccination.

Recommendations for vaccination in multiple myeloma: a consensus of the European Myeloma Network

Vaccination is one of the most successful medical interventions that has saved the life of millions of people. Vaccination is particularly important in patients with multiple myeloma, who have an increased risk of infections due to the disease-inherent immune suppression, and because of the immune suppressive effects of therapy. Hence, all appropriate measures should be exploited, to elicit an effective immune response to common pathogens like influenza, pneumococci, varicella zoster virus, and to those bacteria and viruses (haemophilus influenzae, meningococci, and hepatitis) that frequently may pose a significant risk to patients with multiple myeloma. Patients after autologous, and specifically after allogeneic transplantation have severely reduced antibody titers, and therefore require a broader spectrum of vaccinations. Response to vaccination in myeloma often is less vigorous than in the general population, mandating either measurement of the postvaccination antibody titers and/or repeating the vaccination. Here, we compile the existing data on vaccination in multiple myeloma and provide recommendations for clinical practice.

Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS)-Not So Asymptomatic after All

Monoclonal Gammopathy of Undetermined Significance (MGUS) is considered to be a benign precursor condition that may progress to a lymphoproliferative disease or multiple myeloma. Most patients do not progress to an overt condition, but nevertheless, MGUS is associated with a shortened life expectancy and, in a minority of cases, a number of co-morbid conditions that include an increased fracture risk, renal impairment, peripheral neuropathy, secondary immunodeficiency, and cardiovascular disease. This review aims to consolidate current evidence for the significance of these co-morbidities before considering how best to approach these symptoms and signs, which are often encountered in primary care or within a number of specialties in secondary care.

Underutilization of guideline-recommended supportive care among older adults with multiple myeloma in the United States

BACKGROUND

With improving survival for patients with multiple myeloma (MM), supportive care that is focused on optimizing quality of life and minimizing treatment-related toxicities is increasingly important. The extent to which patients with MM are receiving recommended supportive care is unknown.

METHODS

This study used the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results-Medicare database to identify older adults (age ≥66 years) diagnosed with MM in 2008-2013 who had received active treatment and survived 1 year or longer after their diagnosis. Outcomes of interest included guideline-recommended supportive care, which was defined as 1) bone-modifying drugs (BMDs) within the 12 months after the diagnosis, 2) influenza vaccination in the first season after the diagnosis, and 3) concomitant use of prophylactic antivirals with proteasome inhibitors. Multivariable logistic regression models were used to evaluate associations between patient/facility-level characteristics and supportive care use.

RESULTS

Among 1996 patients receiving MM-directed therapy, 64%, 52%, and 49% received BMDs, an influenza vaccination, and antiviral prophylaxis, respectively. Non-Hispanic black patients (odds ratio [OR] vs white patients, 0.63; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.46-0.88) and patients with baseline renal impairment (OR, 0.43; 95% CI, 0.34-0.54) had lower odds of BMDs. Non-Hispanic blacks (OR, 0.52; 95% CI, 0.37-0.73) and those with dual Medicaid enrollment (OR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.58-0.99) had lower odds of influenza vaccination. Treatment in a community-based setting was associated with reduced odds of antiviral prophylaxis (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.46-0.72).

CONCLUSIONS

Substantial underutilization of guideline-recommended supportive care was observed among older adults with MM in the United States, and this was associated with both patient and facility characteristics. Targeted interventions are needed to improve supportive care for patients with MM.