Research From Cleveland Clinic Provides New Insights Into Relapsed Or Refractory Multiple Myeloma

"The 62 patients enrolled received liposomal doxorubicin 40 mg/m2 i.v. and vincristine 2 mg i.v. on day 1, dexamethasone 40 mg p.o. on days 1-4 (DVd), and lenalidomide on days 1-21 in 28-day cycles. Primary end points were maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of lenalidomide with DVd chemotherapy and overall response rate (ORR) by Southwest Oncology Group criteria of the combination. The median age was 62 years, 70% of patients were males and 65% had refractory multiple myeloma. The MTD of lenalidomide with DVd chemotherapy was 10 mg and the dose-limiting toxicity was non-neutropenic sepsis. After 7.5 months of median follow-up, the ORR of the combination was 75%, with 29% of patients achieving a complete or near complete remission. The median progression-free survival was 12 months, while the median overall survival has not yet been reached. The combination of lenalidomide and DVd chemotherapy was well tolerated and resulted in high response rates in this mostly refractory patient population," wrote R. Baz and colleagues, Cleveland Clinic.

The researchers concluded: "Evaluation of this combination in newly diagnosed patients is warranted."

Baz and colleagues published their study in Annals of Oncology (Lenalidomide and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin-based chemotherapy for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: safety and efficacy. Annals of Oncology, 2006;17(12):1766-71).

For more information, contact R. Baz, Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center Myeloma Research Program, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland USA.

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