In patients with multiple myeloma, infection is the primary cause of morbidity and mortality, influenced by a combination of the disease itself, treatments, and individual patient factors. The risk of infection accumulates over the disease course, making prevention critical. Effective strategies to mitigate this risk include vaccinations, antimicrobial prophylaxis, infection control measures, and immunoglobulin replacement for certain patients. Despite these measures, there is a lack of universal guidelines for infection prevention in multiple myeloma patients.

A panel of 36 global experts convened by The International Myeloma Society reviewed existing literature and current guidelines to address the challenges in managing infection risk, particularly in the face of new therapies. This consensus aims to offer recommendations for the prevention of infectious complications in the context of evolving treatment strategies for multiple myeloma.

Reference: Raje NS, Anaissie E, Kumar SK, et al. Consensus guidelines and recommendations for infection prevention in multiple myeloma: a report from the International Myeloma Working Group. Lancet Haematol. 2022 Feb;9(2):e143-e161. doi: 10.1016/S2352-3026(21)00283-0. PMID: 35114152.