Open AccessEfficacy and toxicity of the combination chemotherapy of thalidomide, alkylating agent, and steroid for relapsed/refractory myeloma patients: a report from the Korean Multiple Myeloma Working Party (KMMWP) retrospective study
Author(s) -
Kwon Jihyun,
Min ChangKi,
Kim Kihyun,
Han Jaejoon,
Moon Joon Ho,
Kang Hye Jin,
Eom HyeonSeok,
Kim Min Kyoung,
Kim Hyo Jung,
Yoon Dok Hyun,
Lee JeongOk,
Lee Won Sik,
Lee Jae Hoon,
Lee JeJung,
Choi Yoonseok,
Kim Sung hyun,
Yoon Sungsoo
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
cancer medicine
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.403
H-Index - 53
ISSN - 2045-7634
DOI - 10.1002/cam4.970
Subject(s) - thalidomide , medicine , multiple myeloma , chemotherapy , refractory (planetary science) , toxicity , oncology , lenalidomide , retrospective cohort study , pharmacology , biology , astrobiology
We analyzed the treatment responses, toxicities, and survival outcomes of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma who received daily thalidomide, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone ( CTD ) or daily thalidomide, melphalan, and prednisolone ( MTP ) at 17 medical centers in Korea. Three‐hundred and seventy‐six patients were enrolled. The combined chemotherapy of thalidomide, corticosteroid, and an alkylating agent ( TAS ) was second‐line chemotherapy in 142 (37.8%) patients, and third‐line chemotherapy in 135 (35.9%) patients. The response rate overall was 69.4%. Patients who were not treated with bortezomib and lenalidomide before TAS showed a higher response rate compared to those who were exposed to these agents. The estimated median progression‐free survival and overall survival times were 10.4 months and 28.0 months, respectively. The adverse events during TAS were generally tolerable, but 39 (10.4%) patients experienced severe infectious complications. There were no differences in terms of efficacy between CTD and MTP , but infectious complications were more common in CTD group. TAS is an effective treatment regimen which induces a high response rate in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma patients. Due to the high incidence of grade 3 or 4 infection, proper management of infection is necessary during the TAS treatment, especially the CTD .