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A steroid‐independent regimen of bortezomib, liposomal doxorubicin and thalidomide demonstrate high response rates in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients
Author(s) -
Sher Taimur,
Ailawadhi Sikander,
Miller Kena C.,
Manfredi Debbie,
Wood Margaret,
Tan Wei,
Wilding Gregory,
Czuczman Myron S.,
HernandezIlizaliturri Francisco J.,
Hong Fredrick,
Sood Raman,
Soniwala Saif,
Lawrence William,
Jamshed Saad,
Masood Aisha,
Iancu Daniel,
Lee Kelvin,
ChananKhan Asher
Publication year - 2011
Publication title -
british journal of haematology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.907
H-Index - 186
eISSN - 1365-2141
pISSN - 0007-1048
DOI - 10.1111/j.1365-2141.2011.08703.x
Subject(s) - thalidomide , medicine , regimen , bortezomib , multiple myeloma , oncology , rash , pharmacology , surgery
Summary Novel agents have provided a new foundation for multiple myeloma therapies. When combined with other anti‐myeloma agents, these compounds significantly enhance clinical efficacy. High‐dose steroids are frequently used in anti‐myeloma combination regimens; however, the doses employed are often poorly tolerated, especially in patients with concurrent comorbid conditions. We hypothesized that a steroid‐independent combination regimen could be developed without significant compromise of efficacy. The availability of such a regimen will be important for patients whose concurrent ailments make them poor candidates for steroid containing anti‐myeloma regimens. A phase II single institute, non‐randomized clinical trial was conducted to investigate a novel steroid‐free three‐drug combination of bortezomib (V), pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (D), and thalidomide (T), the VDT regimen. Forty‐three newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients requiring treatment were enrolled on this study. The overall response rate and complete response (CR) + near complete response (nCR) rate was 78% and 35%, respectively. Median time to progression was 29·5 months. Fatigue, rash, neuropathy, constipation and infections were the most common side effects. We concluded that VDT is a tolerable and an effective regimen capable of inducing high response rates and can be employed in patients considered to be poor candidates for steroid‐based treatment regimens.