OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical features, treatment response and prognosis of multiple myeloma patients aged over 80 years.

METHODSThe clinical data of 23 cases of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma aged over 80 years from February 2007 to July 2014 in our hospital were analyzed retrospectively. The median age was 82, and all the patients had at least 2 complicated diseases. Only 1 patient gave up the chemotherapy because of the poor performance status, the other 22 cases received individualized treatments. Out of 23 patients, 10 received velcade containing regimen (velcade group) chemotherapy, 10 patients received melphalan containing regimen (conventional chemotherapy group) and 2 patients received lenalidomide.

RESULTS1 patient achieved complete remission, 1 patient achieved very good partial remission, 15 patients achieved partial remission, 1 patient achieved minor remission and 4 patients had progressed. Their median survival time was 19.5 months. Their survival rate of one-year, two-years, three-years were 73.9%, 39.1%, 26.1%, respectively. The median OS time and PFS time were 21.5 (9-46) vs 13 (3-23) months (P = 0.405) and 16 (5-38) vs 10 (3-19) months in the velcade group and conventional chemotherapy group, respectively. 9 cases had been alive until December 2015, while 14 cases had died.

CONCLUSIONMultiple meloma patients aged over 80 years diagnosed at advanced stage often accompanied with previous underlined diseases. Treatment should be individualized based on the evaluation of patient status. The OS and PFS time of patients could be prolonged using the velcade containing chemotherapy.