Weight-Based Bisphosphonate Administration for Multiple Myeloma Patients and the Risks of Skeletal Complications

Abstract

High-dose bisphosphonate for multiple myeloma patients might elevate risks of skeletal complications earlier than general expectations. This study aims to find incidences of atypical femoral fracture (AFF) and medication-related osteonecrosis of the jaw (MRONJ), elucidate their risk factors, and suggest cut-off values for the safer dosing of high-dose bisphosphonate treatment. By using the clinical data warehouse of a single institute, retrospective cohort data of multiple myeloma-diagnosed patients with high-dose bisphosphonate (pamidronate or zoledronate) treatment from 2009 to 2019 was extracted. Among 644 patients, the incidence of prominent AFF requiring surgery was 0.93% (6/644) and MRONJ was diagnosed in 11.8% (76/644) of the study population. For both AFF and MRONJ, the total potency-weighted sum of total dose per body weight (OR = 1.010, p = 0.005) were significant on logistic regression. Cutoffs of the potency-weighted total dose (mg) per body weight (kg) for AFF and MRONJ were 77.00 and 57.70 mg/kg, respectively. After roughly one year of treatment with high-dose zoledronate (about four years for pamidronate), an earlier thorough re-evaluation of skeletal complications should be taken. Body weight adjustments for accumulative dose calculation in terms of permissible dosing should be taken into consideration.