Why is multiple myeloma progressing so rapidly in Asia-Pacific, especially in China?

Multiple myeloma, a bone marrow cancer primarily affecting the elderly, is experiencing a worrying increase in the Asia-Pacific region. Between 1990 and 2021, China saw a spectacular rise of 918% in new cases and a 326% increase in deaths related to this disease. This surge is mainly due to the accelerated aging of the population, which accounts for about 60% of the increase in East Asia. Men are more affected than women, with the majority of cases occurring after the age of 70.

Unlike most countries, Japan stands as an exception. Thanks to effective public health policies, such as regular screenings and better management, the number of cases there is slightly decreasing. Elsewhere in the region, particularly in China, the rise in living standards and improvements in diagnostic systems have revealed the true burden of the disease, previously underestimated. Environmental exposures, such as industrial chemicals or pesticides, have also played a role in this increase.

Socioeconomic disparities are worsening the situation. High-income countries have better screening tools and innovative treatments, such as targeted therapies or CAR-T cells, which remain inaccessible in less privileged regions. This creates a growing gap: wealthy countries detect and treat more, while poorer countries still underestimate the scale of the problem.

Projections indicate that the number of cases will continue to rise, particularly among men and the elderly. Without targeted intervention, this trend risks placing a heavy burden on healthcare systems. The Japanese example shows that a preventive approach, combining early screening and access to care, can reverse the trend. For other countries, the challenge is twofold: strengthening medical infrastructure and making modern treatments more accessible. The fight against multiple myeloma therefore requires a better distribution of resources and special attention to the most vulnerable populations.

Credits

Source Study

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00277-026-06923-3

Title: Burden of disease for multiple myeloma in China and the Asia–Pacific region, 1990–2021: a systematic analysis of the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 study

Journal: Annals of Hematology

Publisher: Springer Science and Business Media LLC

Authors: Sen-Xin Wang; Tao Luo; Ni Yang; Xun-Ru Liu; Yan-Ping Ma