Is t(11;14) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma a favorable outcome in the novel agent era?

Background: t(11;14) is considered a standard risk factor in multiple myeloma (MM). However, recent studies suggested that its impact in the context of novel agents remained controversial.

Methods: This retrospective analysis examined the clinical profiles of 375 newly diagnosed patients with MM and compared the outcomes between those with t(11;14) and those with normal cytogenetics.

Results: The median progression-free survival (PFS) of the 84 patients with t(11;14) was 36 months (95% confidence interval (CI), 23.5-48.5), which was significantly shorter than the median PFS of 65 months (95% CI, 23.0-107.0) for the 59 patients with normal cytogenetics (p = 0.011). Median overall survival (OS) was not reached in either group (p = 0.977). When combined with 1q21 + , t(11;14) showed a trend toward poorer PFS (median PFS: 36 vs. 65 months; p = 0.130). In the presence of high-risk cytogenetics (HRCAs), t(11;14) was associated with a worse PFS (median PFS: 9 vs. 38 months, p = 0.015) and a trend toward shorter OS (median OS: 33 vs. 49 months, p = 0.096). Multivariate analysis indicated that t(11;14) was a poor prognostic factor for PFS. 1q21 + was a detrimental prognostic factor, particularly in the t(11;14) group. Autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) may be a beneficial treatment option for patients with t(11;14).

Conclusion: In this study, patients with MM with t(11;14) demonstrated poorer PFS than those with normal cytogenetics. Further investigations are required to evaluate the impact of t(11;14) in patients newly diagnosed with MM in the era of novel agents.