Hematology AdvisorPalliative Radiotherapy Linked to Pain Response in Multiple Myeloma

Palliative radiotherapy was associated with pain response in patients with multiple myeloma in an interim futility analysis of a phase 2 study.

A recent phase 2 study has revealed a significant link between palliative radiotherapy and pain response in patients with multiple myeloma. The findings, presented at the 2023 ASTRO Annual Meeting, provide valuable insights into the potential of radiotherapy as a palliative care option for multiple myeloma patients.

Key Points

• The multicenter phase 2 study included patients with a known multiple myeloma diagnosis and painful bone lesion.
• Patients received radiotherapy to the index lesion at a dose of 4 Gy.
• The primary endpoint was pain response at 4 weeks from treatment.
• The interim futility analysis was conducted after 40 patients were enrolled.
• The best response at any time point was a complete response (CR) in 19 patients (48%), a partial response (PR) in 15 patients (38%), and indeterminate in 5 patients (13%).
• Reirradiation was administered to 7 patients (18%).
• Most patients had a pain response.

Multiple myeloma is a relatively uncommon cancer. In the United States, the lifetime risk of getting multiple myeloma is 1 in 132 (0.76%). The American Cancer Society’s estimates for multiple myeloma in the United States for 2023 are: About 35,730 new cases will be diagnosed (19,860 in men and 15,870 in women). About 12,590 deaths are expected to occur (7,000 in men and 5,590 in women).

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