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Question 1 of 2
Supportive care in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and renal impairment is important. Which of the following supportive care therapies is not recommended in these updated recommendations for patients with MM and severe renal impairment?
A
B
C
D
Renal impairment is a common complication of multiple myeloma (MM), affecting up to 50% of patients. Renal impairment is defined as an estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) of <60 mL/min per 1.73 m2. Poor overall survival (OS) and increased risk of early death are associated with renal impairment in patients with MM.
The International Myeloma Working Group (IMWG) recently updated their previous recommendations for the diagnosis and management of renal impairment in patients with MM.1 The recommendations were published by Dimopoulos et al.1 in The Lancet. An interdisciplinary panel comprising clinical experts on MM and renal impairment reviewed and graded the evidence according to Grading of Recommendations, Assessment, Development, and Evaluation system.1 We are pleased to summarize the IMWG recommendations particularly those relating to therapeutic approaches.
In patients with MM, residual free light chains (FLCs) in the proximal tubules, other co-existing renal diseases, and non-immunoglobulin-related factors have been found to be associated with renal impairment. Early identification and prompt management of renal impairment at diagnosis and relapse is crucial to improve patient outcomes. Figure 1 shows the algorithm for the differential diagnosis of renal impairment in patients with MM.
Figure 1. Algorithm for differential diagnosis of renal impairment*
AL, amyloid light-chain; CKD-EPI, Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration; eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; FLC, free light chain; MM, multiple myeloma.
*Adapted from Dimopoulos et al.1
Table 1. Staging of chronic kidney disease*
eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate; RRT, renal replacement therapy. |
||
|
Description |
eGFR (mL/min per 1.73 m2) |
---|---|---|
1 |
Normal or elevated eGFR |
≥90 |
2 |
Mild reduction in eGFR |
60–89 |
3 |
Moderate reduction in eGFR |
30–59 |
4 |
Severe reduction in eGFR |
15–29 |
5 |
Renal failure or end-stage renal disease |
<15 or RRT |
Reversal of renal impairment should be the main aim of treatment in patients with MM-related renal impairment. Table 2 shows the IMWG criteria for renal response to anti-myeloma treatment and should be used in both clinical trials and practice.
Table 2. Criteria for renal response*
eGFR, estimated glomerular filtration rate. |
||
Responses |
Baseline eGFR (mL/min per 1.73 m2)† |
Best creatinine clearance response (mL/min) |
---|---|---|
Complete response |
<50 |
≥60 |
Partial response |
<15 |
30–59 |
Minor response |
<15 |
15–29 |
15–29 |
30–59 |
Adequate and immediate supportive care is important for all patients with MM-related renal impairment. Figure 2 shows the supportive care recommendations.
Figure 2. Supportive care recommendations*
MM, multiple myeloma.
*Adapted from Dimopoulos et al.1
In patients with MM and renal impairment, mechanical approaches have been employed to rapidly decrease the serum FLCs concentrations. In addition, administration of anti-myeloma treatment is also important to reduce the production of monoclonal FLC (Figure 3).
Figure 3. Recommendations for mechanical approaches*
MM, multiple myeloma.
*Adapted from Dimopoulos et al.1
Figure 4. Recommendations for anti-myeloma therapies*
IV, intravenous; MM, multiple myeloma, R/R, relapsed/refractory.
*Adapted from Dimopoulos et al.1
Figure 5. Recommendations for anti-myeloma therapies*
HSCT, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation; MM, multiple myeloma, R/R, relapsed/refractory.
*Adapted from Dimopoulos et al.1
Although kidney transplantation in some patients with MM and end-stage renal impairment who have previously undergone auto-HSCT have shown encouraging results, the best time for transplantation is unknown.
These updated recommendations by IMWG address the therapeutic innovations in MM and the introduction of new options for the management of patients with MM and renal impairment. It also reiterates that diagnosis and management of renal impairment in patients with MM is often challenging and requires a multidisciplinary approach. However, the recommendations are limited by variation in renal impairment definition and exclusion criteria in available studies, inappropriate use of formulae for the estimation of renal function in chronic kidney disease in patients with acute kidney injury, potential differential diagnosis of renal impairment in patients with MM, and the lack of prospective data. Future studies should address these limitations to optimize clinical practice and patient outcomes.
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