Impact of Black race on bortezomib-induced peripheral neuropathy among patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

The incidence of multiple myeloma (MM) is two to three times higher in Black patients compared with other races. Bortezomib-based induction for MM is associated with increased risk of peripheral neuropathy. Known risk factors for bortezomib-nduced peripheral neuropathy (BIPN) are diabetes mellitus, previous thalidomide, advanced age, and obesity. A retrospective study at Emory University (Atlanta, GA) found that after correction for these risk factors, Black race was associated with increased risk of BIPN (OR 1.64; p=0.047) among patients with newly diagnosed multipled myeloma.