Treatment of patients with myeloma with comorbid conditions: considerations for the clinician

Abstract

Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) frequently present with serious comorbidities such as renal impairment and/or diabetes. Treatment of these patient subsets poses a greater challenge: renal dysfunction can alter drug clearance leading to increased toxicity, and commonly used regimens can induce or exacerbate hyperglycemia. In recent years, novel targeted therapies have broadened and improved treatment options for all patients with MM. With these advancements, clinical trials are beginning to report benefit in patients with renal impairment. Furthermore, steroid-sparing and steroid-free regimens have proven highly efficacious and are predicted to improve options for patients with diabetes. This review will highlight recent trials evaluating novel regimens that promise to improve the standard of care for patients with MM with significant comorbidity.