Safety and efficacy of bortezomib and melphalan combination in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: updated results of a phase 1/2 study after longer follow-up

Bortezomib synergizes with melphalan in preclinical and early clinical studies. Updated data from our phase 1/2 study assessing the safety and efficacy of bortezomib plus melphalan in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM) are presented. Bortezomib (0.7, 1.0, or 1.3 mg/m(2)) on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 and oral melphalan (0.025-0.25 mg/kg) on days 1-4 of a 28-day cycle were administered. Hematologic toxicities defined the maximum tolerated dose as bortezomib 1.0 mg/m(2) and melphalan 0.10 mg/kg. Because dose-limiting toxicities were attributed to the more myelosuppressive melphalan, cohorts 9 and 10 with higher bortezomib (1.3 mg/m(2)) and lower melphalan (0.025 and 0.10 mg/kg) doses were added. Responses occurred in 32/46 (70%) evaluable patients: two complete (4%), five near-complete (11%), 16 partial (35%), and nine minimal (20%). Complete and near-complete responses were observed only with higher bortezomib doses. Response rates were similar in patients with prior melphalan or bortezomib. Median progression-free survival was 9 months (range, 1-24), and overall survival was 32 months (range, 1-54). The most common grade 3/4 hematologic adverse events (AEs) were neutropenia (31%/0%), thrombocytopenia (25%/2%), and anemia (13%/0%). Grade 4 tumor lysis syndrome was reported in one patient. Fewer grade 3/4 hematologic AEs were reported in cohorts 9 and 10 than in cohorts receiving lower bortezomib and higher melphalan doses. In conclusion, bortezomib plus melphalan is a steroid- and immunomodulatory drug-free regimen that may provide a treatment alternative for elderly patients and patients with significant comorbidity.     

Intravenous melphalan, thalidomide and prednisone in refractory and relapsed multiple myeloma

OBJECTIVES: Thalidomide combined with conventional chemotherapies including oral melphalan shows significant anti-myeloma activity. To address this issue, feasibility and efficacy of a three drug combination consisting of intravenous (i.v.) melphalan, thalidomide and prednisone [M(i.v.)PT] was evaluated in advanced myeloma patients. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty-four advanced myeloma patients were treated with multiple cycles of a regimen consisting of low dose i.v. melphalan (20 mg/m2) at d 1, thalidomide at the dose of 50-100 mg/d given continuously and oral prednisone at the planned dose of 50 mg/d every other day. Intravenous melphalan was administered every fourth month. Median time from diagnosis was 40 months (range: 8-144 months). Fifteen patients (66%) had previously been treated with a combination of thalidomide and dexamethasone or with thalidomide alone. RESULTS: Overall, on an intent-to treat basis, 14 patients responded: three achieved near complete remission (nCR), seven achieved partial response (PR), four minimal response (MR). Six patients showed stable disease (SD) and four-disease progression. Interestingly, of five patients who had previously progressed while on thalidomide and prednisone, one reached nCR, two PR and one MR. After a median follow up of 14 months, median progression free survival was 9 months. Response duration was longer than that induced by the previous line of treatment in eight patients (33%). Thalidomide-associated toxicity mainly consisted of constipation, tingling and sedation. CONCLUSIONS: M(i.v.)PT is an effective regimen, which can overcome resistance to thalidomide plus prednisone in advanced myeloma with acceptable toxicity.     

PAD combination therapy (PS-341/bortezomib, doxorubicin and dexamethasone) for previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma

Bortezomib (formerly PS-341) has significant activity in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM), its efficacy is increased with the addition of dexamethasone and it demonstrates synergy with doxorubicin, thus providing the rationale for combination therapy with bortezomib, doxorubicin and dexamethasone (PAD). Patients with untreated MM received four 21-d cycles of PAD, comprising bortezomib 1.3 mg/m(2) on days 1, 4, 8 and 11, along with dexamethasone 40 mg on days 1-4, 8-11 and 15-18 during cycle 1 and days 1-4 during cycles 2-4. During days 1-4, patients also received 0, 4.5 or 9 mg/m(2) of doxorubicin at dose levels 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Following peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection, patients received high-dose melphalan (MEL200) with PBSC transplantation (PBSCT). After PAD induction alone, 20 of 21 patients (95%) achieved at least a partial response (PR), including complete response (CR) in five patients (24%). Twenty of 21 had PBSC mobilized, and 18 of 20 received MEL200/PBSCT. In an intention-to-treat analysis, response rates were: CR 43%, near CR 14%, very good PR 24%, PR 14% and stable disease 5%. PAD was effective, did not prejudice subsequent PBSC collection, and should be further evaluated in prospective randomized trials.     

硼替佐米联合化疗治疗10例多发性骨髓瘤

目的:观察硼替佐米联合化疗药物治疗初治、复发难治多发性骨髓瘤(MM)的疗效及安全性。方法:5例初治MM患者在每一疗程的第1、4、8、11天静脉注射硼替佐米0.7～1.3mg/m2,每3周为一疗程;每2个疗程(6周)的第1～4天,口服美法仑9mg/(m2·d)和泼尼松60mg/(m2·d);每例患者至少接受2～10个疗程。5例复发难治患者,在每3周1个疗程,第1、8天分别静脉注射硼替佐米3.5mg,或第1、4、8、11天1.0～1.3mg/m2。每次用硼替佐米前静脉注射地塞米松40mg;每例患者至少接受1～6个疗程。采用Blade标准评价疗效,按照美国国立癌症研究所(NCI)(第3版)判断不良反应。结果:中位随访8个月,5例初治患者中2例完全缓解(CR),1例接近完全缓解(nCR),1例部分缓解(PR),1例轻微反应(MR)。5例复发难治患者中,2例nCR,2例MR,1例无改变(NC)。主要不良反应包括胃肠道症状、不同程度的血小板减少、周围神经症状和乏力等。经对症治疗及调整用药剂量后均能改善。结论:硼替佐米对于初治或复发难治的MM患者,是一种可以耐受的、疗效确切的新的治疗选择。     

Bortezomib plus intermediate‐dose dexamethasone and thalidomide in elderly untreated patients with multiple myeloma: A Chinese experience

Bortezomib has proven to be active in patients with multiple myeloma (MM), including elderly patients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of bortezomib in combination with intermediate‐dose dexamethasone (Dex) and thalidomide in untreated MM patients aged ≥65 years in a Chinese single center. In this study, 18 patients were treated with bortezomib at 1.3 mg/m² IV on Days 1, 4, 8, and 11 and Dex at 20 mg/day IV on Days 1–4 and 8–11 simultaneously. Thalidomide at dose of 100 mg/day was given everyday. The mean number of cycles of bortezomib treatment was 2.06. Three patients (17%) achieved a complete response (CR), four (22%) a very good partial response (VGPR), and nine (50%) a PR, resulting in an overall response rate of 89%. The median time to response was 22 days (range 14–50 days). The duration of response was significantly longer in patients achieving a CR/VGPR with respect to those achieving only a PR (8.5 vs. 4.2 months, P = 0.03). Grade 3–4 toxicities occurring in patients comprised weakness, thrombocytopenia, diarrhea, infection, and neuropathy. Only one patient suffered from deep vein thrombosis. This preliminary experience in Chinese patients indicated that bortezomib‐Dex‐thalidomide is highly effective in elderly untreated patients with MM, even in patients with poor prognostic features. Am. J. Hematol. 2010. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.     

Bortezomib, low-dose intravenous melphalan, and dexamethasone for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma

This multicenter phase I/II study investigated the maximum tolerated dose (MTD), safety, and efficacy of low dose intravenous (IV) melphalan in combination with bortezomib for patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM). Patients received bortezomib 1·3 mg/m² on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 and escalating doses of IV melphalan (2·5–10·0 mg/m²) on day 2 of a 28-day cycle for a maximum of eight cycles. Dexamethasone 20 mg was added for progressive or stable disease. Fifty-three patients were enrolled. The MTD was defined at melphalan 7·5 mg/m² and bortezomib 1·3 mg/m². The overall response rate (ORR) was 68% (23% complete or near-complete responses [CR/nCR]) whilst at the MTD ( n  = 33) the ORR was 76% (34% CR/nCR). After median follow-up of 17 months, the median progression free survival was 10 months, rising to 12 months at the MTD ( P  < 0·05 vs. non-MTD regimens). The median overall survival was 28 months, but was not yet reached at the MTD. Grade 3/4 adverse events included thrombocytopenia (62%), neutropenia (57%), infection (21%), and neuropathy (15%). Bortezomib and low-dose IV melphalan combination therapy is a safe and highly effective regimen for patients with relapsed MM. These data suggest further investigation of this combination is warranted.     

A comparison of bortezomib, cyclophosphamide, and dexamethasone (Vel-CD) chemotherapy without and with thalidomide (Vel-CTD) for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma

We compared the clinical responses and toxicities between bortezomib-based salvage chemotherapy combined with cyclophosphamide, thalidomide, and dexamethasone(Vel-CTD) and without thalidomide (Vel-CD) in patients with relapsed or refractory MM. Eighty-six patients received at least two cycles of treatment with Vel-CTD (bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 i.v. on days 1, 4, 8, and 11; cyclophosphamide 150 mg/m2 orally on days 1–4; thalidomide 50–100 mg/day orally every day; and dexamethasone 20 mg/m2 i.v. on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 every 3 weeks), and 67 patients were given at least two cycles of Vel-CD, which is the same regimen as Vel-CTD except without thalidomide. The overall response rates of the Vel-CD and Vel-CTD groups were 88% and 90% (p>0.05), respectively. There was no difference in the progression free survival (p = 0.69) and overall survival rates(p = 0.49) between the two groups. Grade 3 or more adverse hematologic events occurred in the same proportion of patients in both groups. In terms of non-hematologic toxicities, the Vel-CTD group showed a higher proportion of autonomic neuropathy, motor neuropathy, and sensory neuropathy compared to the Vel-CD group (each, p<0.05). Only three patients in the Vel-CTD group showed thrombotic events despite aspirin prophylaxis. The Vel-CD regimen inpatients with relapsed or refractory MM is an effective and more tolerable salvage therapy compared to Vel-CTD in terms of its comparable response rate and less severe of non-hematologic toxicities.     

Bortezomib in combination with intermediate-dose dexamethasone and continuous low-dose oral cyclophosphamide for relapsed multiple myeloma

A phase 2 trial was performed to study the combination of bortezomib (VELCADE) with intermediate-dose dexamethasone (DEX), and continuous low-dose oral cyclophosphamide (CY) in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM). Fifty-four patients with advanced MM were enroled to receive eight 3-week treatment cycles with bortezomib 1.3 mg/m(2) on days 1, 4, 8, and 11, followed by three 5-week cycles with bortezomib 1.3 mg/m(2) on days 1, 8, 15, and 22. Within all cycles, DEX 20 mg/d was given orally on the day of bortezomib injection and the day thereafter. In addition, patients received CY continuous oral treatment at a dose of 50 mg/d p.o. once daily. Fifty patients completing at least one treatment cycle were evaluable for response. Complete, partial, and minor responses occurred in 16%, 66% and 8% of patients, respectively; overall response rate 90% (efficacy analysis). Median event-free survival was 12 months, with a median overall survival of 22 months. Adverse events (AE) of grades 3 or 4 occurring in at least 10% of patients comprised leucopenia, infection, herpes zoster, thrombocytopenia, neuropathy and fatigue. Bortezomib combined with DEX and CY is a highly effective treatment for relapsed MM at an acceptable rate of grade 3/4 AE. Antiviral prophylaxis appears to be mandatory.     

Combination of high-dose melphalan and bortezomib as conditioning regimen for autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma

Bortezomib and melphalan have synergistic effects against multiple myeloma (MM) cells. We conducted a pilot study on the combination of bortezomib and high-dose melphalan (Bor-HDM) as a conditioning regimen followed by autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) in 17 Japanese patients with newly diagnosed MM, in comparison with a historical control of patients who received high-dose melphalan (HDM) only followed by ASCT. Nine patients received a single dose of bortezomib 1.3 mg/m² on day ?1 in combination with melphalan 100 mg/m² on days ?3 and ?2 (Bor1-HDM), and eight received two doses of bortezomib 1.3 mg/m² on days ?4 and ?1 (Bor2-HDM) in combination with HDM. Engraftment of autologous peripheral blood stem cells and regimen-related toxicities (RRT) were comparable among the HDM and Bor-HDM groups. Probability of upgrading from a less than very good partial response (VGPR) to VGPR after ASCT was approximately two times higher in the Bor-HDM group than in the HDM group. However, we observed no significant differences in engraftment, RRT, and response rates between the Bor1-HDM and Bor2-HDM groups. The present study showed that concurrent administration of at least two doses of bortezomib in combination with HDM can be safe in Japanese patients. Additional large prospective randomized trials are required to address the optimal dosages and schedules of bortezomib administration, as well as the efficacy of the Bor-HDM conditioning regimen for ASCT.     

Combination of bortezomib,thalidomide, and dexamethasone (VTD) as a consolidation therapy after autologous stem cell transplantation for symptomatic multiple myeloma in Japanese patients

Consolidation therapy for patients with multiple myeloma (MM) has been widely adopted to improve treatment response following autologous stem cell transplantation. In this study, we retrospectively analyzed the safety and efficacy of combination regimen of bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (VTD) as consolidation therapy in 24 Japanese patients with newly diagnosed MM. VTD consisted of bortezomib at a dose of 1.3 mg/m² and dexamethasone at a dose of 40 mg/day on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of a 35-day cycle, with daily oral thalidomide at a dose of 100 mg/day. Grade 3–4 neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were documented in four and three patients (17 and 13 %), respectively, but drug dose reduction due to cytopenia was not required in any case. Peripheral neuropathy was common (63 %), but severe grade 3–4 peripheral neuropathy was not observed. Very good partial response or better response (≥VGPR) rates before and after consolidation therapy were 54 and 79 %, respectively. Patients had a significant probability of improving from p = 0.041). The VTD regimen may be safe and effective as a consolidation therapy in the treatment of MM in Japanese population.     

Bortezomib in combination with thalidomide-dexamethasone for previously untreated multiple myeloma

In a previous trial among 137 previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma, the combination of thalidomide-dexamethasone induced remission in 66% of patients, including complete remission in 13%. In an attempt to induce more frequent remissions, we added bortezomib to this program. Between 7/03 and 3/06, 38 newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma received at least one, but no more than 3, courses of bortezomib in a dose of 1.3 mg/m(2) IV x 4; dexamethasone 20 mg/m(2) PO for 4 days beginning on days 1, 9, 17; thalidomide 100 mg PO daily increasing to a maximum of 200 mg. There was rapid onset of remission in 33 patients (87%) including 6 patients with complete remission (16%). Most side effects were preventable, but otherwise were usually mild and reversible. After a median of 4 months, 25 eligible patients received intensive therapy with high-dose melphalan supported by autologous blood stem cells, so that the myeloma was in complete remission in 14 patients (37% of all patients). The combination of bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone was a highly effective primary treatment for newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma.     

沙立度胺联合MP化疗方案治疗多发性骨髓瘤23例

目的：观察沙立度胺联合MP方案治疗多发性骨髓瘤的疗效及其不良反应。方法：确诊的多发性骨髓瘤患者23例。沙立度胺-MP方案：沙立度胺自MP方案开始持续给药，每晚睡前口服，剂量从每天100mg开始，每周日剂量递增50mg，至患者不能耐受或最高至每日400mg；MP方案每月1个疗程。结果：部分缓解16例（69．6％），进步4例（17．4％），总有效率为87．0％（20／23）。有效的患者中10例在4周内起效，沙立度胺每天100～400mg，中位剂量每天225mg。常见的不良反应为皮疹、便秘、嗜睡、乏力、头昏、水肿等。结论：沙立度胺加MP方案治疗多发性骨髓瘤不良反应少，耐受性好，且反应率可能提高。     

Risk factors for,and reversibility of,peripheral neuropathy associated with bortezomib–melphalan–prednisone in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma: subanalysis of the phase 3 VISTA study

Objectives: This subanalysis of the phase 3 VISTA trial aimed to assess the frequency, characteristics and reversibility of, and prognostic factors for, bortezomib‐associated peripheral neuropathy (PN) in newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma ineligible for high‐dose therapy who received bortezomib plus melphalan–prednisone. Methods: Patients received nine 6‐wk cycles of VMP (bortezomib 1.3 mg/m², days 1, 4, 8, 11, 22, 25, 29, 32, cycles 1–4, and days 1, 8, 22, 29, cycles 5–9; melphalan 9 mg/m², days 1–4, cycles 1–9; and prednisone 60 mg/m², days 1–4, cycles 1–9). Results: Overall, 47% of patients receiving VMP developed PN, including 19% grade 2 and 13% grade ≥3 (<1% grade 4). The PN incidence was dose‐related and reached a plateau at a cumulative bortezomib dose of approximately 45 mg/m². Median time to PN onset was 2.3 months. Bortezomib‐associated PN was reversible; 79% of events improved by at least one NCI CTCAE grade within a median of 1.9 months and 60% completely resolved within a median of 5.7 months, with reversibility similar in responding and non‐responding patients. By multivariate analysis, baseline neuropathy was the only consistent risk factor for any PN [hazard ratio (HR) 1.785, P = 0.0065], grade ≥2 PN (HR 2.205, P = 0.0032), and grade ≥3 PN (HR 2.438, P = 0.023); age, pre‐existing diabetes, International Staging System stage, obesity, and creatinine clearance did not affect the overall rate of PN. Conclusions: Rates of bortezomib‐induced PN in the frontline setting were similar to those in relapsed patients and resolved in most cases. (Clinicaltrials.gov identifier: NCT00111319).     

Bortezomib, doxorubicin and dexamethasone (PAD) front-line treatment of multiple myeloma: updated results after long-term follow-up

Bortezomib, doxorubicin and dexamethasone (PAD) was evaluated as induction before stem cell transplantation in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients, using bortezomib 1.3 mg/m(2) (PAD1, N = 21) or 1.0 mg/m(2) (PAD2, N = 20). Complete/very good partial response rates with PAD1/PAD2 were 62%/42% postinduction and 81%/53% post-transplant. Progression-free survival (29 vs. 24 months), time to re-treatment (36 vs. 29 months) and overall survival (1 year: 100% vs. 95%; 2 years: 95% vs. 73%) were statistically similar but favoured PAD1 versus PAD2. Toxicity was lower in PAD2; bortezomib dose reduction may help manage toxicities while retaining efficacy. PAD is highly active as front-line induction in MM.     

Good clinical activity and favorable toxicity profile of once weekly bortezomib,fotemustine, and dexamethasone (B‐MuD) for the treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma

Since multiple myeloma (MM) is still not‐curable, the management of relapse remains challenging. Given the known efficacy of alkylating agents in MM, we conducted a phase I/II study to test a new three drug combination in which Fotemustine (Muphoran), an alkylating agent of nitrosurea family, was added to bortezomib + dexamethasone backbone (B‐MuD) for the treatment of MM relapsed patients. Fotemustine was administered at two dose levels (80–100 mg/m² i.v.) on day 1. The original 21‐day schedule was early amended for extra‐hematological toxicity and a 35‐day schedule was adopted (Bortezomib 1.3 mg/m² i.v. on days 1, 8, 15, and 22, Dexamethasone 20 mg i.v. on days 1, 8, 15, and 22) for a total of six courses. Twenty‐four patients were enrolled. The maximum tolerated dose of Fotemustine was 100 mg/m². The overall response rate was of 62% (CR 8%, VGPR 33%, and PR 21%). The median OS was 28.5 months, the median progression‐free survival (PFS) was 19.1 months. B‐MuD resulted effective in patients previous exposed to bortezomib without difference of response (P = 0.25) and PFS (P = 0.87) when compared to bortezomib‐naive patients. Thrombocytopenia was the most common AE overall. In conclusion, B‐MuD is an effective and well tolerated combination in relapsed MM patients even in advanced disease phase. © Am. J. Hematol., 88:102–106, 2013. © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.     

Melphalan, prednisone, thalidomide and defibrotide in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma: results of a multicenter phase I/II trial

Background

Defibrotide is a novel orally bioavailable polydisperse oligonucleotide with anti-thrombotic and anti-adhesive effects. In SCID/NOD mice, defibrotide showed activity in human myeloma xenografts. This phase I/II study was conducted to identify the most appropriate dose of defibrotide in combination with melphalan, prednisone and thalidomide in patients with relapsed and relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, and to determine its safety and tolerability as part of this regimen.

Design and Methods

This was a phase I/II, multicenter, dose-escalating, non-comparative, open label study. Oral melphalan was administered at a dose of 0.25 mg/kg on days 1–4, prednisone at a dose of 1.5 mg/kg also on days 1–4 and thalidomide at a dose of 50–100 mg/day continuously. Defibrotide was administered orally at three dose-levels: 2.4, 4.8 or 7.2 g on days 1–4 and 1.6, 3.2, or 4.8 g on days 5–35.

Results

Twenty-four patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma were enrolled. No dose-limiting toxicity was observed. In all patients, the complete response plus very good partial response rate was 9%, and the partial response rate was 43%. The 1-year progression-free survival and 1-year overall survival rates were 34% and 90%, respectively. The most frequent grade 3–4 adverse events included neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, anemia and fatigue. Deep vein thrombosis was reported in only one patient.

Conclusions

This combination of melphalan, prednisone and thalidomide together with defibrotide showed anti-tumor activity with a favorable tolerability. The maximum tolerated dose of defibrotide was identified as 7.2 g p.o. on days 1–4 followed by 4.8 g p.o. on days 5–35. Further trials are needed to confirm the role of this regimen and to evaluate the combination of defibrotide with new drugs (ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT00406978).     

An overview of the VISTA trial: newly diagnosed, untreated patients with multiple myeloma ineligible for stem cell transplantation

Multiple myeloma, a plasma cell neoplasm, is the second most common hematologic malignancy after non-Hodgkins lymphoma and is responsible for 2% of cancer deaths. Melphalan and prednisone (MP) has been the standard treatment in elderly patients for many decades. The VISTA study evaluated the effect of this combination with or without the first-in-class proteasome inhibitor bortezomib in newly diagnosed myeloma patients who were not candidates for autologous stem cell transplantation. Altogether 682 patients were enrolled and prospectively randomized in this trial. All patients received nine 6-week cycles of oral melphalan (9 mg/m(2)) and prednisone (60 mg/m(2)) on days 1-4, either alone or with bortezomib administered intravenously (1.3 mg/m(2) on days 1, 4, 8, 11, 22, 25, 29 and 32 during the first four cycles and on days 1, 8, 22, 29 during remaining course of therapy). Median time to progression (the primary end point of the trial) was 24 months in the bortezomib-containing group compared with 16.6 months in the control group (p < 0.001). Response was evaluated in 337 patients receiving bortezomib compared with 331 patients in the control group who received MP alone; the percentages of partial response or better was 71 vs 35% (p < 0.001), with complete response seen in 30 vs 4%, respectively (p < 0.001). Median response duration in both groups was 19.9 versus 13.1 months, respectively. Median overall survival has not been reached in VMP group compared with 43 months in the MP group (p < 0.001), and this benefit is maintained after long term follow-up and subsequent antimyeloma therapies. Hematological adverse events (AEs) were similar in both groups, although patients in the bortezomib group experienced more frequent peripheral sensory neuropathy (including 13% grade 3, with less than 1% grade 4). Overall, the occurrence of grade 3 AEs was higher in patients receiving bortezomib (53 vs 44%, p = 0.02), but the risk of grade 4 AEs was identical (28 vs 27%). These results confirm the superiority of MP plus bortezomib combination over MP therapy in treatment-naive patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who are ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation.     

硼替佐米联合沙利度胺在新诊断多发性骨髓瘤中的应用

目的 观察硼替佐米联合沙利度胺化疗方案治疗新诊断的多发性骨髓瘤(MM)患者的有效率和安全性以及完全缓解(CR)后的持续时间.方法 在整个方案中,硼替佐米1.3 mg/m2静脉注射,第1、4、8、11天(d1、d4、d8、d11),每21天为1个周期;沙利度胺100 mg/晚,连续服用21 d(d1～d21),共8个周期.按照欧洲血液与骨髓移植组织制定的标准判断疗效.结果 入组患者中男20例,女14例,中位年龄59岁;其中国际分期系统(ISS)Ⅲ期15例,Ⅱ期18例,Ⅰ期1例.4例患者因为不良反应退出试验,可以评价的患者共30例.共有28例患者完成了2个周期的化疗,总有效率(ORR)92.9%,完成8个周期并进行疗效评价的26例,ORR达100%,完全缓解率[CR+接近CR(nCR)]为53.9%.中位随访12个月,估计的无疾病进展率为62%,估计12个月的持续缓解率为62%,中位总生存时间未达到.毒副作用主要是血液学毒性(53.3%)、胃肠道反应(40.6%)、周围神经病变(38.0%)、疲乏无力(36.6%)以及发热(32.0%),大多都能耐受.结论 硼替佐米联合沙利度胺治疗新诊断的MM患者ORR及CR率均很高,而且毒副反应可以控制,缓解后患者需维持治疗.

Abstract：

Objective The aim of this phase Ⅱ study was to determine the efficacy and safety of combined bortezomib and thalidomide (VT) regime as initial treatment for newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) in China. Methods Thirty-four patients were enrolled in this study and received VT regime up to 21-day cycles. Bortezomib (1.3 mg/m2) was administered intravenously on days 1, 4, 8, and 11, while oral thalidomide ( 100 mg/day) was given from days 1 to 21. The primary end point was clinical response.The secondary end point was safety. Results Among the 34 patients, 20 were male, 14 were female, with a median age of 59 years, and 15 in international stage system (ISS) Ⅲ ,18 in ISS Ⅱ , 1 in ISS Ⅰ . Among them, 28 completed 2 cycles' treatment and achieved an overall response rate (ORR) of 92.9%; 26 were able to complete the planned 8 cycles of therapy. After 8 cycles, the ORR was 100% ( complete response 30. 8%, near-complete response 23.1%, partial response 42. 3%, minimal response 3.8% ). After followed up with a median time of 12 months, the estimated rate without progress of disease was 62%, and the estimated continous remission rate of 12 months was 62%. The median survival time was not achieved. The most common adverse events were mild to moderate ( grades 1, 2). The main toxicities were hematologic (53. 3% ), gastrointestinal ( 40. 0% ), peripheral neuropathy ( 38.0% ), fatigue ( 36. 6% ) and fever (32. 0% ). Conclusions VT regime provides a very high ORR and complete response rate in the treatment of newly diagnosed MM patients. No patients experienced deep venous thrombosis. In conclusion,bortezomib in combination with thalidomide is a very effective regimen for newly diagnosed MM patients and the toxicities are manageable.     

Bortezomib,ascorbic acid and melphalan (BAM) therapy for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: an effective and well-tolerated frontline regimen

Background: We conducted a single-arm, multicentre phase 2 study to evaluate bortezomib, ascorbic acid and melphalan (BAM) for patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM). Methods: Induction consisted of up to eight 28-d cycles of bortezomib 1.0 mg/m² on days 1, 4, 8 and 11, plus oral ascorbic acid 1 g and oral melphalan 0.1 mg/kg on days 1–4, followed by maintenance bortezomib 1.3 mg/m² every 2 wk until progression. Results: Among 35 patients enrolled (median age 70 yr), responses occurred in 23/31 evaluable patients (74%) including five (16%) complete, three (10%) very good partial, six (19%) partial and nine (29%) minimal responses. Six patients (19%) had stable disease. Thus, disease control was achieved in 29 (94%) patients. Median times to first and best responses were 2 and 3 months (ranges 1–5 and 1–7), respectively. Median time to progression was 19 months and median overall survival has not been reached (range 2–23+ months). Grade 3 and 4 adverse events occurred in 17 and 5 patients, respectively; the most common were neutropenia, neuropathy and thrombocytopenia. Conclusions: BAM is an efficacious, well-tolerated and steroid- and immunomodulatory drug (IMiD)-free frontline treatment regimen for MM patients.     

A high rate of durable responses with romidepsin, bortezomib, and dexamethasone in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma

We report results from a study exploring the combination of romidepsin, bortezomib, and dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with multiple myeloma (MM) previously treated with > 1 prior therapy. The primary objective was to determine the maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of the combination using a novel accelerated dose-escalation schedule in patients with relapsed or refractory MM. The secondary objective was to determine overall response (OR), time to progression (TTP), and overall survival (OS). The MTD identified was bortezomib 1.3 mg/m(2) (days 1, 4, 8, and 11), dexamethasone 20 mg (days 1, 2, 4, 5, 8, 9, 11, and 12), and romidepsin 10 mg/m(2) (days 1, 8, and 15) every 28 days. Thrombocytopenia (64%) was the most common ≥ grade 3 hematologic toxicity. Peripheral neuropathy occurred in 76% of patients (n = 19) (≥ grade 3, 8%; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1%-26%). Maintenance romidepsin 10 mg/m(2) (on days 1 and 8 of a 28-day cycle) proved feasible, with 12 patients receiving a median of 7.5 cycles (range: 1-29). An OR (M-protein) of > minor response (MR) was seen in 18 of 25 patients (72%); 2 (8%) had complete remissions (CRs) and 13 (52%) had partial responses (PRs), including 7 (28%) with very good PRs (VGPRs). The median TTP was 7.2 (95% CI: 5.5-19.6) months, and the median OS was > 36 months. This regimen shows activity with manageable toxicity and warrants further evaluation. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as NCT00431990.