There are no systematic data regarding nonmaintained induction for those patients with multiple myeloma (MM) who do not receive consolidative autologous stem cell transplantation. Of 173 patients with newly diagnosed MM treated with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (LenDex) as primary therapy, 31 patients had their lenalidomide discontinued for reasons other than progression or alternate therapy. Median progression free survival (PFS) from the time of discontinuing lenalidomide was longer in patients who received lenalidomide ≥ 1 year (39 vs. 13 months, P < 0.05); there was no difference in PFS for those treated for 1-2 years as compared to ≥ 2 years. Among those taking lenalidomide for ≥ 1 year PFS was superior in patients who were in very good partial response (VGPR) or better as compared to those with partial response (48.4 versus 14.8 months, P < 0.05). All patients who progressed and were rechallenged with LenDex responded. These analyses illustrate that discontinuation of lenalidomide after 1 year among those patients achieving a ≥VGPR can result in long-term disease control.
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