The Blood Cancer Twice As Likely To Affect African Americans: Multiple Myeloma 11 th Annual National Leadership Summit on Health Disparities Innovation Towards Reducing Disparities Congressional Black Caucus Health Braintrust April 28-29, 2014 Ritz-Carlton Hotel Washington, DC Craig Emmitt Cole, M.D. Department of Internal Medicine Division of Hematology University of Michigan Comprehensive Cancer Center Ann Arbor, Michigan
OBJECTIVES/ OVERVIEW Definitions: What is a cancer of the blood? Anatomy and Biology of the Bone Marrow Common Cancers of the Blood and Bone Marrow Myeloma What is Multiple Myeloma? Incidence in African Americans Treatment and Improved Survival Ethnic Disparities in Myeloma Treatments Testing for Multiple Myeloma Community Education of Myeloma Conclusions Disclosures: Craig Cole, MD is a consultant for Onyx Pharmaceuticals government affairs office and has no relevant financial interests to disclose
Definitions: what is a hematologic (Blood) cancer? Is it bone cancer? NO Bone cancer is a very rare cancer of the bone called Sarcoma. Is it cancer that has gone to the bones? NO Other cancers that have gone to the bone are called Metastatic cancer to the bone. Is it cancer of the blood cells produced by the marrow inside the bone?
Anatomy and Biology (just a little.) Red Blood Cells Bone Marrow Stem Cell White Blood Cells Bone Marrow Blood Factory Platelet Cells Lymph Glands Lymph Cells Antibody Proteins Plasma Cells
Red Blood Cells Bone Marrow LEUKEMIA Stem Cell White Blood Cells Bone Marrow Blood Factory Platelet Cells Lymph Glands Lymph Cells LYMPHOMA Antibody Proteins Plasma Cells MULTIPLE MYELOMA
What is Multiple Myeloma? M-protein MULTIPLE MYELOMA Multiple myeloma is a cancer of the plasma cell. When plasma cells become cancer they make excessive amounts of antibody (M) protein. Manifestations 90% of people with myeloma have multiple sites of disease involved at the time of diagnosis. Low blood counts fatigue. Kidney damage from M proteins which are toxic to the kidneys Bone tumors and fractures- pain Diagnosis Blood tests, urine tests, X-rays, and bone marrow biopsy.
Race and Incidence of Multiple Myeloma All Black 11.6 /100,000 All Races 5.8/100,000 All Hispanic 5.29/100,000 All White 5.26/100,000 Am Indian 4.59/100,000 All Asian 3.2/100,000 22,350 new cases of multiple myeloma were diagnosed in 2013. African Americans have more than twice the myeloma incidence rate of whites. o 12 vs. 5 per 100,000 population. African Americans have the highest risk of myeloma of any race/ ethnic group in the world. Incidence in older black males and females was 126% greater than the incidence in similar age white males and females in 2010. NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology,and End Results (SEER) Program report, www.seer.cancer.gov Leukemia(2012)26:609 614
Race and Incidence of Multiple Myeloma From 2006 to 2010, myeloma was the 8 th most common cancer among African Americans males. 7 th most common cancer among African Americans females. Incidence of myeloma increased with age. Median age at diagnosis for AA is 66 years. The highest incidence rates are found in African American males older than 85 years of age. NCI Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) Program report, www.seer.cancer.gov ; BLOOD, 16 DEC 2010 Vol 116, No25
No conclusive evidence for multiple myeloma being hereditary. Exposure to ionizing radiation and several manufacturing occupations and industries are associated with myeloma. The racial difference in incidence cannot be explained by o Obesity Why do African- Americans have a High Risk for Myeloma? o Tobacco or Alcohol use o Dietary preferences o Vitamin intake o Family history of myeloma o Socioeconomic Status Am J Public Health.(2000)90(8):1277 1281. Leukemia(2012)26:609 614. Blood. Prepublished online February 2013; oi:10.1182/blood-2012-07-443606
Advancements in Multiple Until 1997, therapy for multiple myeloma was limited to chemotherapy. Only 30% of people responded. Average survival was 2 years. Research into the science of how multiple myeloma grows has resulted in targeted treatments which selectively destroy the cancer cells. Immunmodulatory therapy Thalidomide, Lenalidomide, Pomalidomide Proteasome inhibitors Bortezomib, Carfilzomib Myeloma Biology N Engl J Med 2011; 364:1046-1060
Advancements in Survival from Multiple Myeloma With new biology based medications response rates are now 91 to 98%. Survival has more than doubled in myeloma patients to over 6.1 years! When novel therapies are used at diagnosis, survival is improved dramatically. From 3.8 years to 7.3 years! Myeloma is not curable. But is survivable! Blood (ASH Annual Meeting Abstracts) 2011 118: Abstract 5070; Blood (ASH Annual Meeting Abstracts) 2011 118: Abstract 2948 54,963 74,814 19,851 More People Have Survived People in the United States living with, or in a remission from Multiple Myeloma 2004 2011
Ethnic Disparities in Myeloma treatment Clinical trials = New treatments New treatments = Better survival Who is receiving Clinical Trials? Better Survival?
Years of life gained with new therapies for multiple myeloma Ethnic Disparities in Myeloma Treatment; Impact of Novel Therapies New therapies and clinical trials have improved the survival for Caucasians with myeloma from 1993 97 to 2003 07. 2 1.5 Smaller improvements have occurred for other racial/ethnic groups. The mortality rate for myeloma from 2006 to 2010 for black males was nearly double the rate for white males. 1 0.5 1.3 White 0.8 Black 0.7 Hispanic 0.5 Asian Br J Haem 2012; 158: 91-98; Blood 2011 118: Abstract 4213; Am.Ca.Soc.2013.CaFact&Fig AA 2013-2014. Atlanta, GA
Percent 5 year Survival Ethnic Disparities in Myeloma Treatment; Impact of Novel Therapies Multiple Myeloma Five-year relative survival by race for all age groups 50% 40% 30% 35.4% 34.2% 39.5% 39.6% 44.9% 43.5% % Difference in survival from 1998 to 2009 +10.7 +8.1 Non- White 20% White 1998-2001 2002-2005 2006-2009 All values p<0.0001 Survival Period Pulte D, et al. Leukemia & Lymphoma, 2013; Early Online: 1 7
Do Myeloma Patients of Ethnicity Receive the Novel Therapies? Patients with newly diagnosed myeloma in 1999, 2003, and 2007 were examined by using the National Cancer Institute's Patterns of Care Studies. From 1999 to 2007, use of chemotherapy for the initial treatment of myeloma dropped. From 32.0% to 4.1% for Melphalan From 18.2% to 0.4% for other chemotherapies The percentage of patients receiving any novel agent rose from 3.9% in 1999 to 75.5% in 2007. Myeloma patients of ethnicity were less likely to receive novel therapies. J Clin Oncol2013 Jun 1;31(16):1984-9. doi: 10.1200/JCO.2012.h
Ethnic Disparities in Myeloma Treatment; Clinical Trials Lenalidomide, Bortezomib plus plus bortezomib, Melphalan high-dose and and dexamethasone versus Prednisone low-dose for Initial combination dexamethasone Treatment of as therapy initial Multiple therapy in Myeloma patients for newly with newly diagnosed diagnosed multiple myeloma multiple myeloma N Engl J Med. 2008 Aug 28;359(9):906-17 Blood Lancet 2010 Oncol. Aug. 2010 Vol Jan; 16611(1);29-37 (5) Race White White Asian White Non- White Black Missing Other Bortezomib, melphalan, and prednisone versus Pomalidomide Lenalidomide plus after low-dose Stem-Cell dexamethasone versus high-dose dexamethasone bortezomib, alone for patients with relapsed and Transplantation thalidomide, refractory multiple for myeloma Multiple and (MM-003): Myeloma prednisone as a induction New randomised, England therapy open-label, Journal followed phase by 3 trial. maintenance treatment Lancet Vol. 366, Oncol. No. 19, 2013 1770-1781). Oct;14(11):1055-66. Lancet Oncol. 2010 Oct;11(10):934-41 Race Not Reported NCCN Guidelines Version 2,2014. www.nccn.org. www.cancer.gov/clinicaltrials/results/type/multiple-myeloma
Ethnic Disparities in Myeloma Treatment; Barriers Strategies for the prevention or screening multiple myeloma: NONE What are the barriers to more timely diagnosis, treatment, and survival with the new medications for multiple myeloma? Lack of awareness about research Lack of access to clinical trials Fear Distrust Cultural beliefs Lack of access to facilities that are performing research Cancer 2008 112(3):447 454
Community Education of Multiple Myeloma; Jacksonville, FL In 2010 Mayo Clinic-Jacksonville partnered with African American churches to provide educational programs focused on myeloma awareness, cancer research and healthy behaviors. Despite 88% having a primary care provider 67% of participants had never received information on multiple myeloma. 57% never received clinical research study information. Most participants would enroll in clinical trials if asked. At the 2013 African American Sankofa Health and Wellness Forum in Milwaukee,WI 88% of participants were unaware of multiple myeloma. J Canc Educ (2012) 27:294 298
Community Education of Multiple Myeloma; Southeastern Wisconsin The Jane Cremer Foundation is a not-for-profit in Southeastern Wisconsin with its mission to Educate and Empower women to be proactive in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. With two African American church based educational events, nearly 400 people were informed of: Increased incidence of multiple myeloma in their community. How to empower themselves to seek out the newest treatments and clinical trials. Healthy life style activities.
Could I have Myeloma? Think B.A.C.K B - Bone pain from the effects of myeloma cells on the marrow. A- Anemia (low red blood) Ask for the Myeloma Blood C- high blood calcium or confusion and Urine testing K- Kidney function is poor
The Keys to Myeloma Education and Empowerment in the Ethnic Community Breakdown the Barriers Bring the education to the community. Begin with the basics. Do not use terms to challenge anyone s Health Care Literacy. Stress purpose of any myeloma education in the community is not medical or scientific but is educational. duatonal quanistic facts Mergæxli J Canc Educ (2012) 27:294 298. John Cremer personal communication, April 5, 2013
The Keys to Myeloma Education and Empowerment in the Ethnic Community Empower Your Audience! Educate patient empowerment. To teach about multiple myeloma is not enough. People need to be given permission to Ask their doctor questions. To question their doctor. Educating communities on the importance of cancer research as an empowerment tool. Deliver information necessary for racial and ethnic groups to break-through the social /economic barriers. Resources in the community. Overcome health care illiteracy. Educate the community providers (RNs, MDs, PAs, etc ) J Canc Educ (2012) 27:294 298. John Cremer personal communication, April 5, 2013
Conclusion The multiple myeloma is common hematologic (blood) cancer of the plasma cell in the bone marrow. It is twice as common in African Americans that all other racial and ethnic groups. The best method of detection is KNOWLEDGE of multiple myeloma. Awareness of the signs and symptoms. With any suspicion, see your primary care doctor for evaluation! Advances in science through clinical trials have improved the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of multiple myeloma. Resulting in longer and better lives for all myeloma patients.
Learn More and Educate Others The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society: www.lls.org Multiple Myeloma Research Foundation: www.themmrf.org International Myeloma Foundation: www.myeloma.org National Cancer Institute: www.cancer.gov Thank You! For Your Time and Attention Email: colec@med.umich.edu