Page 179 - Haematologica Vol. 110 - January 2025

ARTICLE - Multiple myeloma and the risk of infections
reported a registered infection of the same code if they were reported 1 month apart, and 3 months in the case of SARS-Cov-2 infection. We also chose to exclude chronic infections that would lead to repeated annotation as e.g., hepatitis, human immunodeficiency virus, etc.
In summary, in this large population-based study from Sweden we can confirm that infections still represent a major threat to the lives of MM patients. The risk of in- fections compared to controls is five times higher than in age-matched controls, and even higher the first year after diagnosis. Infections propose a significant risk of early mortality despite more tolerable treatments and better survival. The continuous and repeated nature of current MM therapies make it even more important to consider prophylactic measures to prevent morbidity and mortality in infections. Before the advent of immunotherapy in MM with CAR T-cell therapy and T-cell engagers with their specific risks of infections, this study can constitute a baseline of the risk of infections in the pre-immunotherapy era.
Disclosures
SE discloses honoraria from AstraZeneca. MV-S discloses honoraria from Roche, Janssen - Cilag and Leo Pharma. GJ discloses honoraria from AbbVie, Jazz, Novartis and Servier; research cooperation with Laboratoire Delbert. GL discloses consultancy for Xspray. CHB discloses honoraria from BMS, Janssen, Sanofi and Amgen; advisory board participation
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C.H. Blimark et al. at Takeda and Janssen. All other authors have no conflicts
of interest to disclose.
Contributions
CB designed the trial, sought the ethical approval, wrote the project plan and participated in analyzing data and wrote the manuscript. IS and GL analyzed the data, made the figures and the table. CD, MV, IT, GJ, SE, KC and MK participated in designing the trial and participated in ana- lyzing data. All authors have critically reviewed, edited and approved the manuscript.
Funding
The study was financed by grants from the Swedish state under the agreement between the Swedish government and the county councils, the ALF-agreement (ALFGBG-977904). The authors would like to thank the Operational Health- care Committee Region Västra Götaland, Sweden (VG- FOUREG-982351), The Swedish Blood Cancer Union, The Nordic Cancer Union, The University of Iceland Research Fund, and Landspitali University Hospital Research Fund for their support.
Data-sharing statement
For original data, please contact the corresponding author. As per Swedish law, individual participant data will not be shared.
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