Abstract 2243: A multi-ethnic population-based pilot study of multiple myeloma disparities

Abstract To understand multiple myeloma (MM) disparities we established the Precision MEDicine, EqUity and Disparities Research in MultipLe MyeLomA (MEDULLA) study, a population-based study in California. Our study contacted, via the Cancer Registry of Greater California (CRGC), 100 adult MM patients from four racial/ethnic groups: Non-Hispanic Black (NHB), Non-Hispanic White (NHW), Latinos, and Asians. Data collection included variables reported to the CRGC, a self-administered survey, and biospecimen saliva collection. The survey focused on demographics, risk factors, cancer treatment, family history, quality of life, and social determinants of health. Of the 400 MM patients, we had 95 patients who responded to the survey, giving a response rate of 24%. 44% of those who responded were NHW, 21% NHB, 19% Latinos, and 16% Asians. Those that provided a response tend to be living in a census tract location with lower proportions of poverty (p=0. 0004), higher proportion of adults ages 25 years or over with a college degree (p=0. 0011), higher median household income (p=0. 0048), lower proportion of adults ages 25 years or over without a high school diploma (p0. 0001), and a lower proportion of individuals ages 16 or over who are unemployed (p0. 006). All respondents also have a lower comorbidity count and expressed being in good health. For minorities, we identified a trend where a higher response rate is seen if they live in an area where median household income is higher (p=0. 0108). For every 1% increase in poverty rates, NHW living in such neighborhoods were 3% less likely to respond to the survey (p=0. 04). For every 10% increase in the proportion of individuals having a college degree, response rate increased by 1. 17 for minorities in that neighborhood (p=0. 07). Minorities living in neighborhoods with high proportions of adults without a high school diploma and high unemployment rates are less likely to respond (p=0. 02 and p=0. 047, respectively). In conclusion, we found significantly lower participation rates among minority groups, with socio-economic factors affecting response rates. Our findings, therefore, suggest that future studies must develop improved community-focused and culturally tailored strategies to engage and meaningfully understand MM etiology and survivorship in such populations. Citation Format: Angelica M. Rolon, April P. Vang, J. Elizabeth Quino, Ana Estrada, Eric Stewart, Rosemary D. Cress, Luis Carvajal-Carmona, Alexa Morales Arana. A multi-ethnic population-based pilot study of multiple myeloma disparities abstract. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2024; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts) ; 2024 Apr 5-10; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2024;84 (6Suppl): Abstract nr 2243.