Bortezomib in combination with low-dose oral melphalan, dexamethasone and thalidomide for relapsed elderly patients with multiple myeloma

BACKGROUND: The aim of the study was to assess the effects of combination of bortezomib moderate dose and continuous oral low dose melphalan and thalidomide and dexamethasone (BMTD regimen) in elderly patients aged ≥ 65 years with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM). METHODS: Twenty four patients with advanced MM were enrolled to receive eight 3-week treatment cycles with bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 on days 1, 4, 8, and 11 followed by three 5-week cycles with bortezomib 1.3 mg/m2 on days 1, 8, 15, and 22. Within all cycles, dexamethasone 24 mg/d was given intravenously on the day of bortezomib injection and the day thereafter. In addition, patients received oral treatment of melphalan at a dose of 5 mg/d continuously for twenty days for every cycle. RESULTS: Mean age of study patients was 72.8 ± 6.4 years. All patients that completed at least one treatment cycle were evaluated for response. Complete, partial, and minor responses occurred in 19%, 65% and 6% of patients, respectively. Overall response rate was 90% (efficacy analysis). CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated potent in vivo activity of combination therapy with BMTD regimen in patients with relapsed MM, with an acceptable safety profile and high overall response rate.