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Refractory Multiple Myeloma (refractory + multiple_myeloma)
Selected AbstractsThalidomide for the Treatment of Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Association of Plasma Concentrations of Thalidomide and Angiogenic Growth Factors with Clinical OutcomeCANCER SCIENCE, Issue 9 2002Tsunayuki Kakimoto Recent reports showed that thalidomide has anti-angiogenic activity and is effective for the treatment of refractory multiple myeloma (MM). We examined the relationship between the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of thalidomide and the plasma concentrations of this drug as well as angiogenic growth factors in refractory MM. Ten out of twenty-four evaluable patients (42%) showed more than 25% reduction of M-protein, and eight (33%) achieved more than 50% reduction. These changes were associated with restoration of anemia and recovery of normal immunoglobulin level. Somnolence and headache, constipation, peripheral neuropathy and skin rash were frequently observed, but were well tolerated. However, grade 2,4 severe neutropenia was also observed in nine cases. These adverse effects other than neutropenia occurred more frequently in the patients with higher plasma concentrations of thalidomide (,2.0 ,g/ml at 12 h after the last administration) and were readily alleviated by dose reduction. In contrast, neutropenia developed regardless of the plasma concentration. Plasma concentrations of angiogenic growth factors were frequently elevated before treatment. After thalidomide treatment, these growth factor levels tend to decrease to near-normal ranges in responders but were still high in most non-responders. After thalidomide treatment, plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level was significantly reduced in responders (P=0.025), but not in non-responders (P=0.37). Reduction of plasma VEGF level might be an important indicator for anti-myeloma effect of thalidomide. [source] Combined pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and bortezomib is highly effective in patients with recurrent or refractory multiple myeloma who received prior thalidomide/lenalidomide therapyCANCER, Issue 7 2008Pieter Sonneveld MD Abstract BACKGROUND Recently, the authors reported improved time to disease progression (TTP) with a combination of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and bortezomib compared with bortezomib alone in a phase 3 randomized trial in patients with recurrent/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). In the current analysis, they determined 1) the efficacy of PLD plus bortezomib versus bortezomib alone in patients with MM who had failed on prior thalidomide/lenalidomide (immunomodulatory drug [IMiD]) treatment and 2) the efficacy and safety profile of PLD plus bortezomib in IMiD-exposed and IMiD-naive patients. METHODS This prespecified analysis included 646 patients who were randomized to receive either PLD with bortezomib (n = 324; 194 IMiD-naive patients and 130 IMiD-exposed patients) or bortezomib alone (n = 322; 184 IMiD-naive patients and 138 IMiD-exposed patients). The primary efficacy endpoint was TTP, and secondary endpoints included overall survival, response rate, and safety. RESULTS The median TTP was significantly longer with PLD plus bortezomib compared with bortezomib alone in IMiD-exposed patients (270 days vs 205 days). No statistical difference was noted with respect to TTP between IMiD-naive (295 days) versus IMiD-exposed (270 days) subgroups who received PLD plus bortezomib. A sustained trend favoring combination therapy was observed in analyses of overall survival. In patients who achieved a response, the response duration was comparable for IMiD-naive patients and IMiD-exposed patients in the combination treatment group and lasted a median of 310 days and 319 days, respectively. The incidence of grade 3/4 adverse events was similar with PLD plus bortezomib regardless of prior IMiD exposure. CONCLUSIONS A significantly prolonged TTP was observed with combined PLD plus bortezomib combination therapy compared with bortezomib alone despite prior IMiD exposure. For the combination treatment arm in the IMiD-naive and IMiD-exposed subgroups, TTP was comparable. Similarly, the safety profile of the PLD plus bortezomib combination was unaltered by prior IMiD exposure. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society. [source] Lenalidomide in combination with dexamethasone at first relapse in comparison with its use as later salvage therapy in relapsed or refractory multiple myelomaEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 6 2009Edward A. Stadtmauer Abstract This subset analysis of data from two phase III studies in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM) evaluated the benefit of initiating lenalidomide plus dexamethasone at first relapse. Multivariate analysis showed that fewer prior therapies, along with ,2 -microglobulin (,2.5 mg/L), predicted a better time to progression (TTP; study end-point) with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone treatment. Patients with one prior therapy showed a significant improvement in benefit after first relapse compared with those who received two or more therapies. Patients with one prior therapy had significantly prolonged median TTP (17.1 vs. 10.6 months; P = 0.026) and progression-free survival (14.1 vs. 9.5 months, P = 0.047) compared with patients treated in later lines. Overall response rates were higher (66.9% vs. 56.8%, P = 0.06), and the complete response plus very good partial response rate was significantly higher in first relapse (39.8% vs. 27.7%, P = 0.025). Importantly, overall survival was significantly prolonged for patients treated with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone with one prior therapy, compared with patients treated later in salvage (median of 42.0 vs. 35.8 months, P = 0.041), with no differences in toxicity, dose reductions, or discontinuations despite longer treatment. Therefore, lenalidomide plus dexamethasone is both effective and tolerable for second-line MM therapy and the data suggest that the greatest benefit occurs with earlier use. [source] A systematic review of phase II trials of thalidomide/dexamethasone combination therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myelomaEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Marie Von Lilienfeld-Toal Abstract Thalidomide monotherapy in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM) has a response rate of 30%. The combination of thalidomide with dexamethasone (Thal/Dex) is expected to improve responses, but it is unknown if the combination increases the rate of adverse events. Here, we conducted a systematic review of studies evaluating Thal/Dex in relapsed/refractory MM. Twelve studies were included, comprising 451 patients. The response rate (CR and PR) was 46% (95% CI 42,51%). Therapy-related toxicity was comparable to thalidomide monotherapy and included somnolence (26%, 95% CI 22,31%), constipation (37%, 95% CI 32,42%) and peripheral neuropathy (27%, 95% CI 23,32%). Only venous thromboembolism appeared to occur more often with Thal/Dex (5%, 95% CI 3,8%). Thus, using Thal/Dex results in an improved response rate in relapsed/refractory MM, with a toxicity rate comparable to thalidomide monotherapy. [source] Efficacy of single-agent bortezomib vs. single-agent thalidomide in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: a systematic comparisonEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 2 2007H. Miles Prince Abstract Objective:, To conduct a systematic review of the efficacy of single-agent bortezomib vs. single-agent thalidomide in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple. Methods:, Publications in English from 1966 to June 2005 (MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane library), publication reference lists, Janssen-Cilag data-on-file and abstracts from recent multiple myeloma conferences were reviewed. Prospective studies containing at least a single arm of either treatment group with n,30 were included. Studies adding dexamethasone for non-responders were excluded. Statistical pooling was performed for response rate and overallsurvival. Results:, One bortezomib study (n = 333, NEJM 2005, 352; 2487,98) and 15 thalidomide (n = 1007) studies met these criteria and were included. Patient baseline characteristics including age, gender, IgG : IgA, disease duration and beta-2 microglobulin were well matched except that 48% of bortezomib patients had received prior thalidomide. Response rate, defined as serum M-protein reduction ,50%, was 53% for patients receiving bortezomib vs. 32% for thalidomide (P < 0.001, n = 10 studies). Response rate determined by European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) criteria was 41% for patients receiving bortezomib vs. 22% for thalidomide (P < 0.001, n = 4 studies). Conclusion:, Bortezomib was associated with a significantly higher response rate and complete remission rate using both M-protein and EBMT criteria. [source] Lenalidomide in the treatment of multiple myeloma: a reviewJOURNAL OF CLINICAL PHARMACY & THERAPEUTICS, Issue 3 2008X. Armoiry PharmD PhD Summary Lenalidomide is an immunomodulatory drug derived from thalidomide. It was developed to maximize the anti-inflammatory and anti-neoplasic properties of thalidomide and to reduce its toxicity. The molecular mechanism of action of lenalidomide is unclear, but its therapeutic activity is mainly due to its well defined anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, anti-proliferative and anti-angiogenic properties. In relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM), lenalidomide, combined with standard dose dexamethasone, is superior to dexamethasone alone in terms of time to progression, response rate and overall survival. The most commonly reported adverse events include haematological toxicity with manageable neutropenia and thrombopenia. Lenalidomide does not trigger the limiting toxicities of thalidomide: somnolence, neuropathy and constipation. Lenalidomide, in combination with dexamethasone, is indicated for the treatment of MM patients who have received at least one prior therapy and is administered orally at the dose of 25 mg q.d. for 21 days of 28-day cycles. The drug is being investigated for the treatment of newly diagnosed MM. In this review, we summarize the pharmacokinetic, pharmacodynamic and clinical trial data on lenalidomide. [source] Phase I/II clinical trial of sequential subcutaneous and intravenous delivery of dendritic cell vaccination for refractory multiple myeloma using patient-specific tumour idiotype protein or idiotype (VDJ)-derived class I-restricted peptidesBRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2007Antonio Curti Summary Fifteen multiple myeloma (MM) patients who had failed maintenance therapy after tandem autologous stem cell transplantation underwent anti-idiotype (Id) vaccination with dendritic cells (DCs). CD14+ -derived DCs were loaded with the autologous Id as whole protein (=6) or Id-derived class I-restricted peptides (=9) and keyhole limpet hemocyanin (KLH). Vaccination consisted of three subcutaneous (sc) and two intravenous injections of increasing DC doses at 2 weeks interval. DC therapy was well tolerated. Most patients developed both humoral and T-cell responses to KLH, suggesting immunocompetence. Eight of 15 patients developed an Id-specific T-cell proliferative response, 8/15 increased interferon-,-secreting T cells and 4/15 showed an Id-positive delayed-type hypersensitivity test. Anti-Id cytotoxic T-lymphocyte precursors increased after DC vaccination in 2/2 evaluable patients. A more robust T-cell response was observed after sc DC injections and increased Id-specific T-cell proliferation was found up to 1 year after vaccination. VDJ-derived peptides were as effective as the whole protein in stimulating T-cell responses. Clinically, 7/15 patients have stable disease after a median follow-up of 26 months, one patient achieved durable partial remission after 40 months, and seven patients progressed. In conclusion, sc injections of cryopreserved Id-pulsed DCs were safe and, in contrast with intravenous administrations, induced anti-MM T-cell responses. [source] A systematic review of phase-II trials of thalidomide monotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myelomaBRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 5 2006Axel Glasmacher Summary The activity of thalidomide in relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma is widely accepted but not yet demonstrated in a randomised-controlled trial. A systematic review of the published clinical trials of these patients could reduce the possible bias of single phase-II studies. A systematic search identified 42 communications reporting on 1674 patients. Thirty-two trials used an escalating dosing regimen and four a fixed dose regimen (one dose with 50 mg/d, three doses with 200 mg/d). The target dose in the dose escalating trials was 800 mg/d in 17 trials, 400,600 mg/d in 10 and 200 mg/d in one trial. The intention-to-treat population for efficacy was 1629 patients with a median age of 62 years. The complete and partial (>50% reduction in monoclonal protein) response rate was 29·4% (95%-confidence interval, 27,32%). The rates for minor responses or stable disease were 13·8% (12,16%) and 11·0% (9,13%). Progressive disease was reported in 9·9% (8,11%). The median overall survival from all trials was reported at 14 months. Severe adverse events (grade III,IV) included somnolence 11%, constipation 16%, neuropathy 6%, rash 3%, thrombo-embolism 3%, cardiac 2%. In conclusion, thalidomide monotherapy achieved complete and partial responses in 29·4% of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma. [source] Autologous stem cell transplantation in elderly multiple myeloma patients over the age of 70 yearsBRITISH JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 3 2001Ashraf Badros The feasibility and efficacy of autologous stem cell transplantation (auto-SCT) in patients aged ,,70 years was analysed. Newly diagnosed (n = 34) and refractory multiple myeloma (n = 36) patients were studied. The median age was 72 years (range: 70,82·6). CD34+ cells were mobilized with chemotherapy and granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) (n = 35) or G-CSF alone (n = 35), yielding medians of 11·8 × 106 versus 8 × 106cells/kg respectively (P = 0·007). Because of excessive mortality (16%) in the first 25 patients who received melphalan 200 mg/m2 (MEL-200), the dose was subsequently decreased to 140 mg/m2 (MEL-140). Median times to absolute neutrophil count (ANC) > 0·5 × 109/l and to platelets >,20 × 109/l were 11 and 13 d respectively. Thirty-one patients (44%) received tandem auto-SCT. Complete remission (CR) was 20% after the first SCT and 27% after tandem SCT. Median CR duration was 1·5 years and was significantly longer for patients with ,,12 months of prior chemotherapy (2·6 versus 1·0 years, P = 0·0008). The 3-year event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS) (+ standard error, SE) were projected at 20% + 9% and 31% + 10% respectively. Tandem SCTs positively affected EFS (4·0 versus 0·7 years; P = 0·003) and OS (4·0 versus 1·4 years; P = 0·02) compared with single auto-SCT. In conclusion, MEL-140 is less toxic and appears equally as efficacious as MEL-200 in elderly patients. The benefits of tandem SCT in this patient population need further evaluation in a randomized trial. [source] Combined pegylated liposomal doxorubicin and bortezomib is highly effective in patients with recurrent or refractory multiple myeloma who received prior thalidomide/lenalidomide therapyCANCER, Issue 7 2008Pieter Sonneveld MD Abstract BACKGROUND Recently, the authors reported improved time to disease progression (TTP) with a combination of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) and bortezomib compared with bortezomib alone in a phase 3 randomized trial in patients with recurrent/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). In the current analysis, they determined 1) the efficacy of PLD plus bortezomib versus bortezomib alone in patients with MM who had failed on prior thalidomide/lenalidomide (immunomodulatory drug [IMiD]) treatment and 2) the efficacy and safety profile of PLD plus bortezomib in IMiD-exposed and IMiD-naive patients. METHODS This prespecified analysis included 646 patients who were randomized to receive either PLD with bortezomib (n = 324; 194 IMiD-naive patients and 130 IMiD-exposed patients) or bortezomib alone (n = 322; 184 IMiD-naive patients and 138 IMiD-exposed patients). The primary efficacy endpoint was TTP, and secondary endpoints included overall survival, response rate, and safety. RESULTS The median TTP was significantly longer with PLD plus bortezomib compared with bortezomib alone in IMiD-exposed patients (270 days vs 205 days). No statistical difference was noted with respect to TTP between IMiD-naive (295 days) versus IMiD-exposed (270 days) subgroups who received PLD plus bortezomib. A sustained trend favoring combination therapy was observed in analyses of overall survival. In patients who achieved a response, the response duration was comparable for IMiD-naive patients and IMiD-exposed patients in the combination treatment group and lasted a median of 310 days and 319 days, respectively. The incidence of grade 3/4 adverse events was similar with PLD plus bortezomib regardless of prior IMiD exposure. CONCLUSIONS A significantly prolonged TTP was observed with combined PLD plus bortezomib combination therapy compared with bortezomib alone despite prior IMiD exposure. For the combination treatment arm in the IMiD-naive and IMiD-exposed subgroups, TTP was comparable. Similarly, the safety profile of the PLD plus bortezomib combination was unaltered by prior IMiD exposure. Cancer 2008. © 2008 American Cancer Society. [source] Thalidomide for the Treatment of Refractory Multiple Myeloma: Association of Plasma Concentrations of Thalidomide and Angiogenic Growth Factors with Clinical OutcomeCANCER SCIENCE, Issue 9 2002Tsunayuki Kakimoto Recent reports showed that thalidomide has anti-angiogenic activity and is effective for the treatment of refractory multiple myeloma (MM). We examined the relationship between the clinical efficacy and adverse effects of thalidomide and the plasma concentrations of this drug as well as angiogenic growth factors in refractory MM. Ten out of twenty-four evaluable patients (42%) showed more than 25% reduction of M-protein, and eight (33%) achieved more than 50% reduction. These changes were associated with restoration of anemia and recovery of normal immunoglobulin level. Somnolence and headache, constipation, peripheral neuropathy and skin rash were frequently observed, but were well tolerated. However, grade 2,4 severe neutropenia was also observed in nine cases. These adverse effects other than neutropenia occurred more frequently in the patients with higher plasma concentrations of thalidomide (,2.0 ,g/ml at 12 h after the last administration) and were readily alleviated by dose reduction. In contrast, neutropenia developed regardless of the plasma concentration. Plasma concentrations of angiogenic growth factors were frequently elevated before treatment. After thalidomide treatment, these growth factor levels tend to decrease to near-normal ranges in responders but were still high in most non-responders. After thalidomide treatment, plasma vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) level was significantly reduced in responders (P=0.025), but not in non-responders (P=0.37). Reduction of plasma VEGF level might be an important indicator for anti-myeloma effect of thalidomide. [source] Lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma: dosing of lenalidomide according to renal function and effect on renal impairmentEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Meletios A. Dimopoulos Abstract Objectives:, Lenalidomide and dexamethasone (LenDex) is an active regimen for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). However, there is limited data for the effect of LenDex on renal impairment (RI) and on renal reversibility. Patients & Methods:, Fifty consecutive patients with relapsed/refractory MM received LenDex in 28-d cycles. Median lines of previous therapies were 2 (range: 1,6). Lenalidomide was administered on days 1,21 according to creatinine clearance (CrCl), while dexamethasone was given at a dose of 40 mg on days 1,4 and 15,18 for the first four cycles and only on days 1,4 thereafter. Results:, Twelve patients (24%) had RI at baseline, defined as CrCl < 50 mL/min. Most patients were pretreated with either thalidomide or bortezomib and > 50% of them were refractory to both drugs. At least partial response was documented in 60.5% and 58% of patients with and without RI. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for all patients was 9 and 16 months, respectively. RI was not associated with an inferior PFS or OS. There were no differences in the incidence of adverse events among patients with and without RI. Three of 12 patients with RI (25%) achieved complete renal response and two (16%) achieved minor renal response with LenDex. Conclusions:, We conclude that LenDex is an active treatment even in heavily pretreated MM. With dosing of lenalidomide according to renal function, LenDex can be administered to patients with RI (who may not have other treatment options) without excessive toxicity. Furthermore, LenDex may improve the renal function in approximately 40% of patients with RI. [source] The combination of intermediate doses of thalidomide and dexamethasone reduces bone marrow micro-vessel density but not serum levels of angiogenic cytokines in patients with refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma,HEMATOLOGICAL ONCOLOGY, Issue 4 2004E. Hatjiharissi Abstract The aim of the study was the evaluation of anti-angiogenic activity of the combination of intermediate doses of thalidomide and dexamethasone in patients with refractory/relapsed myeloma. Twenty-five patients were included in the study. Microvessel density (MVD) was evaluated in marrow biopsies before and after treatment. Serum levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), basic fibroblast growth factor (b-FGF), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-,), which have angiogenic potential and interleukin-6 (IL-6), IL-1,, soluble IL-6 receptor (sIL-6R), and transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-,) which are involved in the disease biology, were measured before treatment and then every 2 weeks for 8 weeks. Pretreatment levels of MVD, VEGF, b-FGF, IL-6, sIL-6R were increased in the patients compared to controls. The overall response rate to therapy was 72%. The administration of the combined regimen produced a significant reduction in MVD in responders. However, an increase in serum levels of VEGF, b-FGF, IL-6, sIL-6R was observed post-treatment in responders. In contrast, serum levels of TNF-,, TGF-,, IL-1, did not differ between patients and controls and remained unchanged during the study. These results suggest that the combination of thalidomide plus dexamethasone is an effective treatment for myeloma reducing MVD marrow levels but not serum levels of angiogenic cytokines or cytokines implicated in myeloma biology. Copyright © 2005 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. [source] Lenalidomide and dexamethasone for the treatment of refractory/relapsed multiple myeloma: dosing of lenalidomide according to renal function and effect on renal impairmentEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 1 2010Meletios A. Dimopoulos Abstract Objectives:, Lenalidomide and dexamethasone (LenDex) is an active regimen for relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). However, there is limited data for the effect of LenDex on renal impairment (RI) and on renal reversibility. Patients & Methods:, Fifty consecutive patients with relapsed/refractory MM received LenDex in 28-d cycles. Median lines of previous therapies were 2 (range: 1,6). Lenalidomide was administered on days 1,21 according to creatinine clearance (CrCl), while dexamethasone was given at a dose of 40 mg on days 1,4 and 15,18 for the first four cycles and only on days 1,4 thereafter. Results:, Twelve patients (24%) had RI at baseline, defined as CrCl < 50 mL/min. Most patients were pretreated with either thalidomide or bortezomib and > 50% of them were refractory to both drugs. At least partial response was documented in 60.5% and 58% of patients with and without RI. Median progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) for all patients was 9 and 16 months, respectively. RI was not associated with an inferior PFS or OS. There were no differences in the incidence of adverse events among patients with and without RI. Three of 12 patients with RI (25%) achieved complete renal response and two (16%) achieved minor renal response with LenDex. Conclusions:, We conclude that LenDex is an active treatment even in heavily pretreated MM. With dosing of lenalidomide according to renal function, LenDex can be administered to patients with RI (who may not have other treatment options) without excessive toxicity. Furthermore, LenDex may improve the renal function in approximately 40% of patients with RI. [source] A systematic review of phase II trials of thalidomide/dexamethasone combination therapy in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myelomaEUROPEAN JOURNAL OF HAEMATOLOGY, Issue 4 2008Marie Von Lilienfeld-Toal Abstract Thalidomide monotherapy in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM) has a response rate of 30%. The combination of thalidomide with dexamethasone (Thal/Dex) is expected to improve responses, but it is unknown if the combination increases the rate of adverse events. Here, we conducted a systematic review of studies evaluating Thal/Dex in relapsed/refractory MM. Twelve studies were included, comprising 451 patients. The response rate (CR and PR) was 46% (95% CI 42,51%). Therapy-related toxicity was comparable to thalidomide monotherapy and included somnolence (26%, 95% CI 22,31%), constipation (37%, 95% CI 32,42%) and peripheral neuropathy (27%, 95% CI 23,32%). Only venous thromboembolism appeared to occur more often with Thal/Dex (5%, 95% CI 3,8%). Thus, using Thal/Dex results in an improved response rate in relapsed/refractory MM, with a toxicity rate comparable to thalidomide monotherapy. [source] |