Bortezomib, doxorubicin and dexamethasone in advanced multiple myeloma

Ann Oncol. 2008 Jun;19(6):1160-5. doi: 10.1093/annonc/mdn018. Epub 2008 Mar 6.

Abstract

Background: Bortezomib has shown significant activity in myeloma. In this multicenter trial, we assessed for the first time the combination of bortezomib, doxorubicin and low-dose dexamethasone (PAd) in the treatment of relapsed/refractory myeloma.

Patients and methods: Sixty-four patients were treated for a median of four 28-day cycles (1-6). Bortezomib was given at 1.3 mg/m(2) (days 1, 4, 8, 11) and dexamethasone at 40 mg (days 1-4); 34 patients receive doxorubicin at 20 mg/m(2) (days 1, 4) while 30 patients pegylated liposomal doxorubicin at 30 mg/m(2) (day 1).

Results: Fifty-eight percent of patients had undergone prior autologous transplantation, 70% prior anthracycline and 27% prior bortezomib-based regimens. Forty-three patients (67%) achieved at least a partial response including 16 (25%) with at least a very good partial response. One-year event-free survival was 34% after PAd and 31% after the previous line of therapy (hazard ratio 1.20, 95% confidence interval 0.76-1.90, P = 0.43). One-year overall survival from the start of PAd was 66%. Grade 3-4 toxic effects included thrombocytopenia (48%), neutropenia (36%), infections (15%), anemia (13%), gastrointestinal disturbances (11%) and peripheral neuropathy (10%). Two patients had grade 3-4 cardiac heart failure.

Conclusions: PAd is an active salvage therapy with manageable toxicity in patients with relapsed/refractory myeloma.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Multicenter Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / administration & dosage*
  • Boronic Acids / administration & dosage
  • Bortezomib
  • Dexamethasone / administration & dosage
  • Doxorubicin / administration & dosage
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology
  • Pyrazines / administration & dosage
  • Salvage Therapy

Substances

  • Boronic Acids
  • Pyrazines
  • Bortezomib
  • Dexamethasone
  • Doxorubicin