Bortezomib Improves Survival In Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma: Study Results

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Bortezomib shows improved overall survival and PFS rates.

Newly diagnosed multiple myeloma cases have shown improved progression-free survival (PFS), maintenance complete response, and overall survival (OS) rates with induction treatment using combination of bortezomib, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone, in a study published in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.

The randomized Phase 3 trial involved,

827 patients with newly diagnosed, symptomatic MM.
Patients were randomly assigned for induction therapy with either vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (VAD) or bortezomib, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (PAD).
Followed by high dose melphalan and autologous stem-cell transplantation.
People in VAD received thalidomide 50mg once/day as maintenance therapy.
And bortezomib 1.3 mg/m²once in 2 weeks for 2 years was administered in PAD as maintenance.
Primary analysis was PFS.
Results of the study are as follows,
- PAD induction provided significantly superior complete responses when compared to VAD.
- Bortezomib maintenance therapy improved complete response rates (CR).
- Patients on PAD showed improved PFS when compared to those on VAD.
- Induction and maintenance therapy by bortezomib showed greater benefits in high-risk patients.

Thus, the study authors conclude that induction and maintenance therapy using bortezomib show better response, quality of response, progression-free survival, and overall survival rates.

Dr. Laurent Garderet of Hospital Saint Antoine, Paris, France and lead investigator of study, recommends VTD with appropriate dosages and route, in Myeloma Beacon.