Bortezomib-containing regimens (BCR) for the treatment of non-transplant eligible multiple myeloma

Abstract

In multiple myeloma (MM) patients ineligible for transplant, the selection of up-front therapy needs to balance efficacy and toxicity. Recently, regimens with bortezomib, a proteasome inhibitor with anti-myeloma effects, have been reported. We aimed to evaluate the impact of different bortezomib-containing regimens (BCR) for the treatment of transplant-ineligible MM. All- consecutive patients treated with BCR at our institution from 01/05 to 02/16 were evaluated. With a median of 6 cycles, an overall response rate of 95.2, 80.9, and 76.3% was observed for patients treated with cyclophosphamide-bortezomib-dexamethasone (CyBorD), bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone (VMP), and bortezomib-dexamethasone (VD), respectively (p = 0.03). The median overall survival was similar between the three different BCR, but a trend for better progression-free survival was noted in favor of CyBorD. BCR are efficacious in the treatment of transplant-ineligible MM. Patients receiving continuous therapy (CT) exhibited better outcomes, suggesting that strategies to prevent toxicity and increase the cumulative dose are warranted.

Keywords: Bortezomib; CyBorD and VMP; Multiple myeloma (MM).