Initiating second- or third-line treatment in patients with multiple myeloma appears to lower treatment costs, according to a retrospective analysis involving more than 5,700 individuals. Participants with multiple myeloma were treated as outpatients or inpatients at some point over a 7-year period ending in 2013. Investigators looked at first-line (n=3,626), second-line (n=1,797), and third-line (n=817) multiple myeloma treatment costs. Among the results:

• Average total per-patient per-month costs were >$22,500 in first-line, >$35,200 in second-line, and >$47,400 in third-line treatment.
• Pharmacy costs represented 22%, 29%, and 29% of the total cost, respectively.