People diagnosed with multiple myeloma - one of the most common forms of blood cancer - are now living nearly twice as long on average as they were in 2005, according to a new study.
Patients aged 80 and over have seen the biggest gains in net survival
The research, led by the University of York and funded by Cancer Research UK and Blood Cancer UK, found that median survival for people with myeloma rose from 2.4 years in 2005 to 4.5 years in 2019. The findings, published in Haematologica, are based on data from more than 3,700 UK patients in England.
Historically, myeloma has had low survival compared to many cancer types, partly due to limited options for treatment. Experts believe recent progress is largely due to the adoption of new innovations - such as bortezomib, a drug which is more targeted and has less side-effects than chemotherapy.
Patients aged 80 and over have seen the biggest gains in net survival, with the proportion of people in this age group surviving their disease for five years or more increasing by five-fold since 2005. This is partly due to their increased participation in clinical trials, and the availability of kinder treatments that more frail patients can tolerate.
Awareness month
The findings have been published during Blood Cancer Awareness Month. According to Blood Cancer UK, Myeloma affects around 6,300 people in the UK every year, making up around 2% of all cancer cases. Currently there is no cure, but treatment can help to manage symptoms and extend life.
Professor Alexandra Smith, Professor of Cancer Epidemiology at the University of York and lead author of the study, said: "Thanks to research, someone diagnosed with myeloma now has far better prospects than they would have two decades ago.
"New treatments are kinder, less toxic, and more effective, allowing every patient - including the most vulnerable – to benefit.
"But we can't stop here. Survival for myeloma remains devastatingly low - which is why continued research into new ways to treat the disease, and diagnose it sooner, is so vital."
Invaluable time
Michelle Mitchell, CEO of Cancer Research UK, said: "Every improvement in cancer survival represents invaluable time for patients to spend with the people they love.
"This progress is testament to the hard-work of both scientists and NHS staff, showing the importance of putting research at the front and centre of our health service.
"The upcoming National Cancer Plan for England has to ensure clinicians have the time and space to run more life-saving clinical trials, and help get exciting new treatments to patients sooner."
Dr Richard Francis, Deputy Director of Research at Blood Cancer UK, added: "Blood cancer is the UK's third biggest cancer killer and too many people with myeloma still die far too soon. These results show that research works but to keep improving blood cancer survival, we must do whatever it takes. It takes world-class blood cancer research, it takes faster access to clinical trials, and it takes an NHS that can get the best new treatments to patients quickly.
"Clinical trials offer real hope, but too often blood cancer patients struggle to access them. We urgently need a system that makes it easier for people with blood cancer from all backgrounds to take part as well as more funding for myeloma clinical trials. Everyone affected by myeloma deserves the best possible chance of survival and we won't stop until research delivers that future."
Blood research
The University's Centre for Blood Research, brings together the study of disease frequency and outcomes, focusing on the study of blood and blood tissue, and clinical expertise.
Central to York research in this area is the Epidemiology and Cancer Statistics Group which focuses on blood cancers like leukemia, lymphoma, and myeloma. This group works closely with the NHS, using unique datasets to answer crucial questions that are difficult to address elsewhere. Their research is particularly vital because blood cancers affect people of all ages, and their findings provide essential evidence for clinicians, researchers, and patients.
The University's research is further strengthened by the Haematological Malignancy Research Network (HMRN). This unique patient database, co-founded by York researchers and NHS clinicians, fills a critical void by providing high-quality, real-world data to inform clinical practice and research.
