Genetics of Multiple Myeloma in Latin America

Multiple Myeloma (MM) is a plasma cell tumor, occurs more commonly in men than in women, differences in incidence by ethnic group have been reported, and exposure to different genotoxic agents has been described as risk factors. Epidemiological and genetic studies of MM in Latin America are scarce, so we created the Ibero-American Network for Multiple Myeloma Research (REDIMM), for the exchange and dissemination of information, standardization of protocols and genetic technologies. Eighteen countries were invited and after 5 years of work, REDIMM has 11 participating countries. Each country, with the exception of the United States whose representative explains the palliative care model, presents demographic, clinical laboratory, genetic, and type of treatment information. Each country manages the MM according to the conditions of the environment and the health system; however, the communication between the countries of the network allows the transfer of knowledge that is beneficial in the diagnosis and follow-up. The countries that make up the REDIMM would like to have more technology to make an early and accurate diagnosis of MM. However, the scenario of many Latin American countries is the lack of clinical laboratory tests and in some the total absence of genetics laboratories. In addition, the difficulties for diagnosis are added that it is usually late since patients move to large cities in advanced stages. The research shows that MM has a lower incidence than reported in North America and Europe, a low incidence of monoclonal gammopathy of uncertain significance in the region is described, younger patients than described in other populations are observed, and a relationship between exposure to genotoxics and the development of this cancer is evident. Non-hyperdiploid cases with a worse prognosis predominate, access to treatment is limited and survival time is shorter than reported in the United States and Europe. In Ecuadorian mestizo populations, differences in age and gender ratio are observed according to the predominant ancestry component studied by AIMs-INDELs. We conclude that characterizing the situation of the MM in Latin America will have an immediate and medium-term benefit for all participating institutions, and we hope in Latin America, which will have a favorable impact on myeloma patients.

Alvarez:Novartis,: Speakers Bureau; AbbVie: Speakers Bureau; Bristol: Speakers Bureau; Janssen: Speakers Bureau; Takeda: Speakers Bureau; Teva: Speakers Bureau.