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Immunomodulators have been used in recent years to reactivate host anti-tumor immunity in several hematological malignancies. This report describes the effect of activating natural killer T (NKT) cells by α-Galactosylceramide (α-GalCer) in the 5T33MM model of multiple myeloma (MM). NKT cells are T lymphocytes, co-expressing T and NK receptors, while invariant NKT cells (iNKTs) also express a unique semi-invariant TCR α-chain. We followed iNKT numbers during the development of the disease in both 5T33MM mice and MM patients and found that their numbers dropped dramatically at the end stage of the disease, leading to a loss of total IFN-γ secretion. We furthermore observed that α-GalCer treatment significantly increased the survival of 5T33MM diseased mice. Taken together, our data demonstrate for the first time the possibility of using a preclinical murine MM model to study the effects of α-GalCer and show promising results of α-GalCer treatment in a low tumor burden setting.

The combination of pomalidomide and dexamethasone can be safely administered to patients with multiple myeloma (MM) and has significant efficacy, although the optimal regimen remains to be determined. Patients with MM whose disease progressed after multiple lines of therapy have limited treatment options. We designed a multicenter, phase 2 randomized study assessing two different dose regimens of pomalidomide and dexamethasone in advanced MM. Treatment response was assessed centrally. Pomalidomide (4 mg) was given orally on days 1 to 21 (arm 21/28) or continuously (arm 28/28) over a 28-day cycle, plus dexamethasone given weekly. Eighty-four patients (43, arm 21/28 and 41, arm 28/28) were randomized. The median number of prior lines was 5. Overall response rate was 35% (arm 21/28) and 34% (arm 28/28), independent of the number of prior lines and level of refractoriness. Median duration of response, time to disease progression, and progression-free survival was 7.3, 5.4, and 4.6 months, respectively, which was similar across cohorts. At 23 months follow-up, median overall survival was 14.9 months, with 44% of the patients alive at 18 months. Toxicity consisted primarily of myelosuppression, which was manageable. The efficacy and safety data presented here, along with data from other phase 2 trials, suggest that pomalidomide 4 mg per day on days 1 to 21 of 28 with dexamethasone should be investigated in future trials. This trial is registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (No. NCT01053949).

POEMS syndrome is a rare disorder characterized by polyneuropathy, monoclonal gammopathy, multiorgan involvement, and elevated vascular endothelial growth factor levels. Localized bone lesions require irradiation, whereas young patients with disseminated disease receive intensive treatment with stem cell support. Treatment of older and non responding patients is not yet standardized. We report the use of a combination of lenalidomide and dexamethasone in 20 patients with POEMS syndrome. Four patients were newly diagnosed, and 16 had relapsed or progressed after treatment. All but one of the patients responded: clinical improvements were noted in neuropathies (16/20) organomegaly (13/13), peripheral edema (14/15), and pulmonary hypertension (5/5). At least a very good partial response was noted in 68% of patients, with partial responses in 26%. Serum VEGF levels fell markedly in all 17 patients with available values. Twelve patients had 18-FDG-PET/CT at diagnosis (11 with positive findings), and nine patients during follow-up. The number of lesions fell markedly in five cases and remained stable in two cases, while two patients became negative. During a median follow-up of 22 months, four patients relapsed. Toxicity, predominantly hematological, was mild and manageable. Lenalidomide thus appears to be effective in POEMS syndrome, inducing high rate of clinical and biological responses., (Copyright © 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.)

Recent studies have provided direct evidence for genetic variegation in subclones for various cancer types. However, little is known about subclonal evolutionary processes according to treatment and subsequent relapse in multiple myeloma (MM). This issue was addressed in a cohort of 24 MM patients treated either with conventional chemotherapy or with the proteasome inhibitor, bortezomib. As MM is a highly heterogeneous disease associated with a large number of chromosomal abnormalities, a subset of secondary genetic events that seem to reflect progression, 1q21 gain, NF-κB-activating mutations, RB1 and TP53 deletions, was examined. By using high-resolution single-nucleotide polymorphism arrays, subclones were identified with nonlinear complex evolutionary histories. Such reordering of the spectrum of genetic lesions, identified in a third of MM patients during therapy, is likely to reflect the selection of genetically distinct subclones, not initially competitive against the dominant population but which survived chemotherapy, thrived and acquired new anomalies. In addition, the emergence of minor subclones at relapse appeared to be significantly associated with bortezomib treatment. These data support the idea that new strategies for future clinical trials in MM should combine targeted therapy and subpopulations' control to eradicate all myeloma subclones in order to obtain long-term remission.

Unlabelled: Thalidomide monotherapy has demonstrated consistent results in the treatment of advanced multiple myeloma. We report a 9-year follow-up of a French multicenter nonrandomized phase II study that evaluated the effect of oral thalidomide in 120 patients with advanced multiple myeloma. Independent predictors of survival were response to last therapy, performance status, serum β(2)-microglobulin level, platelet count, and response at day 60 of treatment., Background: Thalidomide monotherapy has demonstrated consistent results in the treatment of advanced multiple myeloma., Patients and Methods: We report the 9-year follow-up of a French multicenter, nonrandomized, phase II study that evaluated the effect of oral thalidomide in advanced multiple myeloma. Thalidomide was started at 200 mg/d and increased to 400 mg/d at day 15., Results: One hundred twenty patients were enrolled in 2 months at 33 centers. The overall response rate was 31.7% (38/120) on day 60. Overall survival rates were 47.5% (95% confidence interval [CI], 38.6-56.4), 25.0% (95% CI, 17.3-32.7), 11.7% (95% CI, 5.9-17.4), and 7.5% (95% CI, 2.8-12.2) at 1, 3, 6, and 9 years, respectively. Independent predictors of short survival at 1, 3, 6, and 9 years were multiple myeloma refractory to last therapy, performance status ≥ 2, serum β(2)-microglobulin level ≥ 3.5 mg/L, platelet count < 152 × 10(9)/L, and nonresponse at day 60 (Cox proportional hazards regression model)., Conclusion: Our study identified 5 independent unfavorable prognostic factors associated with short survival. These prognostic factors were very robust, allowing the prediction of patient survival not only during the first year but also during 3, 6, and even 9 years after the beginning of treatment., (Copyright © 2012 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Immunomodulator drugs (IMiDs) have contributed to the significant improvement observed in the survival of myeloma patients since the introduction of novel targeted therapies. The introduction of IMiDs in the myeloma pipeline has also significantly increased the incidence rate of thromboembolic events, either venous and/or arterial. The observation of an increasing number of deep venous thrombosis makes it compulsory to discuss prophylactic options in myeloma, particularly in those treated with IMiDs as immunomodulatory drugs. Although an attempt to propose guidelines was performed, it is clear that several questions remain unanswered, starting with the choice of the thromboprophylaxis and the definition of risk factors. We have reviewed evidence that might help to decide the optimal thromboprophylaxis, and also highlighted the unresolved area where further study is warranted.

Background and Objectives: The proteasome inhibitor bortezomib is approved for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) and, in the US, for the treatment of mantle cell lymphoma following at least one prior therapy; the recommended dose and schedule is 1.3 mg/m(2) on days 1, 4, 8 and 11 of 21-day cycles, and the approved routes of administration in the US prescribing information are by intravenous and, following a recent update, subcutaneous injection. Findings from a phase III study demonstrated that subcutaneous administration of bortezomib, using the same dose and schedule, resulted in similar efficacy with an improved systemic safety profile (including significantly lower rates of peripheral neuropathy) versus intravenous bortezomib in patients with relapsed MM. The objectives of this report were to present a comprehensive analysis of the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of subcutaneous versus intravenous bortezomib, and to evaluate the impact of the subcutaneous administration site, subcutaneous injection concentration and demographic characteristics on bortezomib pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics., Patients and Methods: Data were analysed from the pharmacokinetic substudy of the randomized phase III MMY-3021 study and the phase I CAN-1004 study of subcutaneous versus intravenous bortezomib in patients aged ≥18 (MMY-3021) or ≤75 (CAN-1004) years with symptomatic relapsed or refractory MM after 1-3 (MMY-3021) or ≥1 (CAN-1004) prior therapies. Patients received up to eight 21-day cycles of subcutaneous or intravenous bortezomib 1.3 mg/m(2) on days 1, 4, 8 and 11. Pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic (20S proteasome inhibition) parameters of bortezomib following subcutaneous or intravenous administration were evaluated on day 11, cycle 1., Results: Bortezomib systemic exposure was equivalent with subcutaneous versus intravenous administration in MMY-3021 [mean area under the plasma concentration-time curve from time zero to the last quantifiable timepoint (AUC(last)): 155 vs. 151 ng·h/mL; geometric mean ratio 0.992 (90 % CI 80.18, 122.80)] and comparable in CAN-1004 (mean AUC(last): 195 vs. 241 ng·h/mL); maximum (peak) plasma drug concentration (C(max)) was lower with subcutaneous administration in both MMY-3021 (mean 20.4 vs. 223 ng/mL) and CAN-1004 (mean 22.5 vs. 162 ng/mL), and time to C(max) (t(max)) was longer with subcutaneous administration in both studies (median 30 vs. 2 min). Blood 20S proteasome inhibition pharmacodynamic parameters were also similar with subcutaneous versus intravenous bortezomib: mean maximum effect (E(max)) was 63.7 versus 69.3 % in MMY-3021 and 57.0 versus 68.8 % in CAN-1004, and mean area under the effect-time curve from time zero to 72 h was 1,714 versus 1,383 %·h in MMY-3021 and 1,619 versus 1,283 %·h in CAN-1004. Time to E(max) was longer with subcutaneous administration in MMY-3021 (median 120 vs. 5 min) and CAN-1004 (median 120 vs. 3 min). Concentration of the subcutaneous injected solution had no appreciable effect on pharmacokinetic or pharmacodynamic parameters. There were no apparent differences in bortezomib pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic parameters between subcutaneous administration in the thigh or abdomen. There were also no apparent differences in bortezomib exposure related to body mass index, body surface area or age., Conclusion: Subcutaneous administration results in equivalent bortezomib plasma exposure to intravenous administration, together with comparable blood 20S proteasome inhibition pharmacodynamic effects. These findings, together with the non-inferior efficacy of subcutaneous versus intravenous bortezomib demonstrated in MMY-3021, support the use of bortezomib via the subcutaneous route across the settings of clinical use in which the safety and efficacy of intravenous bortezomib has been established.

Purpose: This phase I study evaluated elotuzumab, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM)., Patients and Methods: Three cohorts were enrolled and treated with elotuzumab (5.0, 10, or 20 mg/kg intravenously) on days 1, 8, 15, and 22 of a 28-day cycle in the first two cycles, and days 1 and 15 of each subsequent cycle; lenalidomide 25 mg orally [PO] on days 1 to 21; and dexamethasone 40 mg PO weekly. Dose-limiting toxicities (DLTs) were assessed during cycle 1 of each cohort, and clinical responses were evaluated during each cycle. The first five patients received up to six cycles of therapy; subsequent patients were treated until disease progression., Results: Twenty-nine patients with advanced MM and a median of three prior MM therapies were enrolled; 28 patients were treated, three each in the 5.0-mg/kg and 10-mg/kg cohorts and 22 in the 20-mg/kg cohort. No DLTs were observed up to the maximum proposed dose of 20 mg/kg. The most frequent grade 3 to 4 toxicities were neutropenia (36%) and thrombocytopenia (21%). Two patients experienced a serious infusion reaction (one grade 4 anaphylactic reaction and one grade 3 stridor) during the first treatment cycle. Objective responses were obtained in 82% (23 of 28) of treated patients. After a median of 16.4 months follow-up, the median time to progression was not reached for patients in the 20-mg/kg cohort who were treated until disease progression., Conclusion: The combination of elotuzumab, lenalidomide, and low-dose dexamethasone was generally well tolerated and showed encouraging response rates in patients with relapsed or refractory MM.

Purpose: In multiple myeloma, many prognostic parameters have been proposed. However, all of these predict shorter survival. To identify patients with a longer life expectancy, we updated the data of patients treated in the IFM (Intergroupe Francophone du Myelome) 99-02 and 99-04 trials., Patients and Methods: A series of 520 patients was analyzed. Median follow-up was 90.5 months. To perform a comprehensive analysis of the major prognostic factors, we reanalyzed all patients for 1q gains [in addition to updating del(13), t(4;14), and del(17p) analyses]., Results: It was possible to identify a subgroup of patients (representing 20% of total patients) with an 8-year survival of 75%. These patients were defined by the absence of t(4;14), del(17p), and 1q gain and β(2)-microglobulin less than 5.5 mg/L., Conclusion: We propose that all patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma be evaluated for these three chromosomal changes, not only to define high-risk patients but also to identify those with a longer life expectancy.

Background: High-dose chemotherapy with autologous stem-cell transplantation is a standard treatment for young patients with multiple myeloma. Residual disease is almost always present after transplantation and is responsible for relapse. This phase 3, placebo-controlled trial investigated the efficacy of lenalidomide maintenance therapy after transplantation., Methods: We randomly assigned 614 patients younger than 65 years of age who had nonprogressive disease after first-line transplantation to maintenance treatment with either lenalidomide (10 mg per day for the first 3 months, increased to 15 mg if tolerated) or placebo until relapse. The primary end point was progression-free survival., Results: Lenalidomide maintenance therapy improved median progression-free survival (41 months, vs. 23 months with placebo; hazard ratio, 0.50; P<0.001). This benefit was observed across all patient subgroups, including those based on the β(2)-microglobulin level, cytogenetic profile, and response after transplantation. With a median follow-up period of 45 months, more than 70% of patients in both groups were alive at 4 years. The rates of grade 3 or 4 peripheral neuropathy were similar in the two groups. The incidence of second primary cancers was 3.1 per 100 patient-years in the lenalidomide group versus 1.2 per 100 patient-years in the placebo group (P=0.002). Median event-free survival (with events that included second primary cancers) was significantly improved with lenalidomide (40 months, vs. 23 months with placebo; P<0.001)., Conclusions: Lenalidomide maintenance after transplantation significantly prolonged progression-free and event-free survival among patients with multiple myeloma. Four years after randomization, overall survival was similar in the two study groups. (Funded by the Programme Hospitalier de Recherche Clinique and others; ClinicalTrials.gov number, NCT00430365.).

Background: Thalidomide has potent antimyeloma activity, but no prospective, randomized controlled trial has evaluated thalidomide monotherapy in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma., Design and Methods: We conducted an international, randomized, open-label, four-arm, phase III trial to compare three different doses of thalidomide (100, 200, or 400 mg/day) with standard dexamethasone in patients who had received one to three prior therapies. The primary end-point was time to progression., Results: In the intent-to-treat population (N=499), the median time to progression was 6.1, 7.0, 7.6, and 9.1 months in patients treated with dexamethasone, and thalidomide 100, 200, and 400 mg/day, respectively; the difference between treatment groups was not statistically significant. In the per-protocol population (n=465), the median time to progression was 6.0, 7.0, 8.0, and 9.1 months, respectively. In patients who had received two or three prior therapies, thalidomide significantly prolonged the time to progression at all dose levels compared to the result achieved with dexamethasone. Response rates and median survival were similar in all treatment groups, but the median duration of response was significantly longer in all thalidomide groups than in the dexamethasone group. Adverse events reported in the thalidomide groups, such as fatigue, constipation and neuropathy, confirmed the known safety profile of thalidomide., Conclusions: Although thalidomide was not superior to dexamethasone in this randomized trial, thalidomide monotherapy may be considered an effective salvage therapy option for patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma, particularly those with a good prognosis and those who have received two or three prior therapies. The recommended starting dose of thalidomide monotherapy is 400 mg/day, which can be rapidly reduced for patients who do not tolerate this treatment. (, Clinical Trial Registration Number: NCT00452569).

Background: Osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ) has been reported in patients receiving bisphosphonates for metastatic bone disease. ONJ incidence, risk factors, and outcomes were evaluated in a combined analysis of three phase III trials in patients with metastatic bone disease receiving antiresorptive therapies., Patients and Methods: Patients with bone metastases secondary to solid tumors or myeloma were randomly assigned to receive either s.c. denosumab (120 mg) or i.v. zoledronic acid (4 mg) every 4 weeks. On-study oral examinations were conducted by investigators at baseline and every 6 months. Oral adverse events were adjudicated by an independent blinded committee of dental experts., Results: Of 5723 patients enrolled, 89 (1.6%) patients were determined to have ONJ: 37 (1.3%) received zoledronic acid and 52 (1.8%) received denosumab (P = 0.13). Tooth extraction was reported for 61.8% of patients with ONJ. ONJ treatment was conservative in >95% of patients. As of October 2010, ONJ resolved in 36.0% of patients (29.7% for zoledronic acid and 40.4% for denosumab)., Conclusions: In this combined analysis of three prospective trials, ONJ was infrequent, management was mostly conservative, and healing occurred in over one-third of the patients. Educating physicians about oral health before and during bone-targeted therapy may help reduce ONJ incidence and improve outcomes.

Background: The Prognostic Inflammatory and Nutritional Index (PINI) is a simple scoring system that aggregates two blood markers of inflammatory [C-reactive protein (CRP) and orosomucoid] and of nutritional (albumin and prealbumin) states. It is used in routine practice in geriatric medicine, especially in hospitalized elderly patients. This study was undertaken to evaluate the usefulness of PINI index in multiple myeloma (MM), a malignancy of the elderly., Method: The PINI score was determined in 231 previously untreated patients with MM, of whom 112 were ≥65 yrs old. The serum albumin, prealbumin, orosomucoid (human α1-acid glycoprotein), and hsCRP are measured routinely by immunonephelometry., Results: In the overall population and the elderly subset, PINI ≥ 4 ('high PINI') was correlated with a shorter median survival, 26 vs. 65 months in the high and low PINI groups, respectively. The prognostic impact of PINI index was dramatic in the elderly MM subgroup, 6 and 45 months, respectively. The high PINI index also predicted for shorter survival in various groups with good prognostic, such as low International Staging System (ISS) stages, low b2m, and absence of del17p and t(4;14), further demonstrating its prognostic impact on overall survival. In multivariate analysis, PINI index provided additional survival prognostic information to b2m in a b2m/PINI model., Conclusion: PINI index appears to be a useful and easy-to-perform marker in routine to determine the prognosis of patients with MM, especially in the elderly population. PINI might represent an alternative to ISS score, especially in elderly patients, in the future., (© 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

Maintaining results of successful induction therapy is an important goal in multiple myeloma. Here, members of the International Myeloma Working Group review the relevant data. Thalidomide maintenance therapy after autologous stem cell transplantation improved the quality of response and increased progression-free survival (PFS) significantly in all 6 studies and overall survival (OS) in 3 of them. In elderly patients, 2 trials showed a significant prolongation of PFS, but no improvement in OS. A meta-analysis revealed a significant risk reduction for PFS/event-free survival and death. The role of thalidomide maintenance after melphalan, prednisone, and thalidomide is not well established. Two trials with lenalidomide maintenance treatment after autologous stem cell transplantation and one study after conventional melphalan, prednisone, and lenalidomide induction therapy showed a significant risk reduction for PFS and an increase in OS in one of the transplant trials. Maintenance therapy with single-agent bortezomib or in combination with thalidomide or prednisone has been studied. One trial revealed a significantly increased OS with a bortezomib-based induction and bortezomib maintenance therapy compared with conventional induction and thalidomide maintenance treatment. Maintenance treatment can be associated with significant side effects, and none of the drugs evaluated is approved for maintenance therapy. Treatment decisions for individual patients must balance potential benefits and risks carefully, as a widely agreed-on standard is not established.

Overexpression of growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15) by bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells occurs widely in patients with multiple myeloma, but the pathophysiologic effects of GDF15 in this setting remain undefined. GDF15 has been described in numerous solid tumors but never in hematologic malignancies. In this study, we report that GDF15 significantly increases survival of stroma-dependent multiple myeloma cells including primary multiple myeloma cells. In particular, GDF15 conferred resistance to melphalan, bortezomib, and to a lesser extent, lenalidomide in both stroma-dependent and stroma-independent multiple myeloma cells. Akt-dependent signaling was critical to mediate the effects of GDF15, whereas Src and extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling pathways were not involved. Given these results, we tested the clinical significance of plasma concentrations of GDF15 (pGDF15) in 131 patients with multiple myeloma and found that it correlated with disease prognosis. Specifically, patients with high levels of pGDF15 had lower probabilities of event-free and overall survival 30 months after diagnosis than patients with low pGDF15 levels. Our findings suggest that tumor microenvironment-derived GDF15 is a key survival and chemoprotective factor for multiple myeloma cells, which is pathophysiologically linked to both initial parameters of the disease as well as patient survival.

This multicentre prospective randomised trial compared the efficacy and safety of two doses of thalidomide in patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma. The study was designed to test the non-inferior efficacy and to confirm the better tolerability of low-dose thalidomide as compared to a higher dose. Four hundred patients were randomly assigned to receive either 100 or 400 mg/day of thalidomide. Dexamethasone treatment was added in both arms for patients with stable disease or treatment failure at 12 weeks. The primary endpoint was 1-year overall survival (OS). Thalidomide 100 mg/day was better tolerated than 400 mg/day with less high-grade somnolence, constipation, nausea/vomiting and peripheral neuropathy (P < 0.001, P = 0.007, P = 0.03 and P = 0.007, respectively). In the per-protocol population (PP), the estimated 1-year OS rates were of 74.5% (n = 149) and 67.3% (n = 156) in the 400 and 100 groups, respectively. The upper limit of the difference between these rates was of 15.6% higher than the non-inferiority acceptable limit of 12.75%, and the hypothesis of non-inferiority of 100 could not be established (P = 0.14). On the other hand, when intent-to-treat (ITT) population was analysed, the non-inferiority was demonstrated because the 1-year OS rates were of 72.8% (n = 195) and 68.8% (n = 205) in the same groups, leading to an upper limit of the difference of 11.49% lower than the non-inferiority acceptable limit. In addition, in patients alive 12 weeks postrandomisation and those who received thalidomide plus dexamethasone, there were no significant differences in response rates, time to progression, progression-free survival and OS between the two groups. Collectively, low-dose thalidomide 100 mg/day has significant activity in advanced myeloma with an improved safety profile and can be a good salvage therapy in combination with dexamethasone., (© 2011 John Wiley & Sons A/S.)

The management of multiple myeloma has undergone profound changes over the recent past as a result of advances in our understanding of the disease biology as well as improvements in treatment and supportive care strategies. Notably, recent years have seen a surge in studies incorporating the novel agents thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide into treatment for different disease stages and across different patient groups. This article presents an update to a previous review of European treatment practices and is based on discussions during an expert meeting that was convened to review novel agent data published or presented at medical meetings until the end of 2011 and to assess their impact on treatment strategies.

The Intergroupe Francophone du Myelome conducted a randomized trial to compare bortezomib-dexamethasone (VD) as induction before high-dose therapy (HDT) and autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) to a combination consisting of reduced doses of bortezomib and thalidomide plus dexamethasone (vtD) in patients with multiple myeloma. Overall, a total of 199 patients were centrally randomly assigned to receive VD or vtD. After 4 cycles, the complete response (CR) rate was the same in both groups (13% in the vtD arm, 12% in the VD arm, P = .74). However, the CR plus very good partial response (VGPR) rate was significantly higher in the vtD arm (49% vs 36%, P = .05). After ASCT, the CR plus VGPR rate was significantly higher in the vtD arm (74% vs 58%, P = .02). The reduced doses of bortezomib and thalidomide translated into a reduced incidence of peripheral neuropathy (PN): grade ≥ 2 PN were reported in 34% in the VD arm versus 14% in the vtD arm (P = .001). vtD, including reduced doses of bortezomib and thalidomide, yields higher VGPR rates compared with VD and can be considered a new effective triplet combination before HDT/ASCT.

Imatinib has transformed the prognosis and the management of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) and has probably changed the patterns of mortality rates. We explored this change at each disease severity level (Sokal score) through a flexible statistical modeling of the effect of the year of diagnosis on the excess mortality rate. The study included 691 chronic-phase patients from Nord-Pas-de-Calais French CML registry diagnosed from 1990 to 2007. Imatinib was given to 93% of the patients diagnosed after 2000. Comparing the 1990-1994, 1995-1999, and 2000-2007 periods of diagnosis, the 5-year relative survival improved from 64% to 66% and 88%. The year of diagnosis was associated with a significant reduction of the excess mortality, but only in patients with intermediate to high Sokal scores. In high-risk patients diagnosed in the early 1990s, a peak of excess mortality was observed during the second year of follow-up. That peak decreased progressively over the years of diagnosis until disappearing in patients diagnosed after 2000. This study showed different effects according to Sokal scores of the use of imatinib on mortality in patients with chronic-phase CML and showed that since 2000 the pattern of mortality of high-risk patients became similar to that of intermediate-risk ones.

The role of thalidomide for previously untreated elderly patients with multiple myeloma remains unclear. Six randomized controlled trials, launched in or after 2000, compared melphalan and prednisone alone (MP) and with thalidomide (MPT). The effect on overall survival (OS) varied across trials. We carried out a meta-analysis of the 1685 individual patients in these trials. The primary endpoint was OS, and progression-free survival (PFS) and 1-year response rates were secondary endpoints. There was a highly significant benefit to OS from adding thalidomide to MP (hazard ratio = 0.83; 95% confidence interval 0.73-0.94, P = .004), representing increased median OS time of 6.6 months, from 32.7 months (MP) to 39.3 months (MPT). The thalidomide regimen was also associated with superior PFS (hazard ratio = 0.68, 95% confidence interval 0.61-0.76, P < .0001) and better 1-year response rates (partial response or better was 59% on MPT and 37% on MP). Although the trials differed in terms of patient baseline characteristics and thalidomide regimens, there was no evidence that treatment affected OS differently according to levels of the prognostic factors. We conclude that thalidomide added to MP improves OS and PFS in previously untreated elderly patients with multiple myeloma, extending the median survival time by on average 20%.

It is essential that there be consistency in the conduct, analysis, and reporting of clinical trial results in myeloma. The goal of the International Myeloma Workshop Consensus Panel 1 was to develop a set of guidelines for the uniform reporting of clinical trial results in myeloma. This paper provides a summary of the current response criteria in myeloma, detailed definitions for patient populations, lines of therapy, and specific endpoints. We propose that future clinical trials in myeloma follow the guidelines for reporting results proposed in this manuscript.

In the 2005-01 trial, we have demonstrated that bortezomib-dexamethasone as induction therapy before autologous stem cell transplantation was superior to vincristine-adriamycin-dexamethasone. We conducted a post-hoc analysis to assess the prognostic impact of initial characteristics as well as response to therapy in patients enrolled in this study. Multivariate analysis showed that ISS stages 2 and 3 and achievement of response less than very good partial response (VGPR) both after induction therapy and after autologous stem cell transplantation were adverse prognostic factors for progression-free survival, the most important one being achievement of response less than VGPR after induction. Progression-free survival was significantly improved with bortezomib-dexamethasone induction therapy in patients with poor-risk cytogenetics and ISS stages 2 and 3 compared with vincristine-adriamycin-dexamethasone. In these 2 groups of patients, achievement of at least VGPR after induction was of major importance. This study is registered with EudraCT (https://eudract.ema.europa.eu; EUDRACT 2005-000537-38) and http://clinicaltrials.gov (NCT00200681).

Many trials in myeloma are stratified on cytogenetic abnormalities. Among them, the most commonly chosen are the t(4;14), the del(17p), and the t(14;16). If data are well established for t(4;14) and del(17p), very few data support the use of t(14;16). To address this issue, we retrospectively analyzed 1003 patients with newly diagnosed myeloma for this abnormality. We identified 32 patients with the t(14;16). Compared with patients lacking the t(14;16), we did not observe any difference in overall survival (P = .28). Moreover, in multivariate analyses, the t(14;16) was not prognostic (P = .39). In conclusion, our data do not support the use of t(14;16)-specific probes in the diagnostic panels of multiple myeloma.

What Is Known and Background:  For relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM), a series of novel agents (thalidomide, bortezomib and lenalidomide) has emerged during the latest decade, but their use in routine clinical practice is not well documented as well as the cost of RRMM., Objective: Our aim is to review the therapeutic management of such patients in France and to estimate the associated costs., Methods: A retrospective cohort study, based on chart reviews, was conducted in French Haematology Departments over the period 2004-2007 and the associated direct costs estimated., Results: One hundred and two patients with a relapse after first-line therapy were selected from five centres. The average follow-up from diagnosis or the date of first relapse to death or to the latest news was respectively 56.25 and 23.53 months. Novel agents were used in 73% of all cases, and in all cases of first relapse. Thalidomide and bortezomib were respectively the most frequently used second-line (57%) and third-line treatments (44%). The average number of lines of treatment received per patient as from first relapse was 2.75 (min 1; max 8) and the mean direct cost per month was estimated at 3130 € after the first relapse. This cost was represented in greater part by the cost of chemotherapy drugs (66%)., What Is New and Conclusion: The use of novel agents such as thalidomide, bortezomib and lenalidomide for RRMM is highly prevalent in France from the first relapse. The associated medical cost is substantial mainly due to the cost of the new agents., (© 2010 Blackwell Publishing Ltd.)

High dose therapy (HDT) with autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is the standard of care for eligible newly diagnosed MM patients. Several randomized studies demonstrated a survival advantage for patients undergoing transplantation, compared with conventional chemotherapy. Introduction of new drugs in this setting have markedly increased survival rates within the last 10 years. Efforts to further improve response rates and survival in those patients are still needed, mainly by increasing the depth of tumor reduction and the duration of response through more effective induction, consolidation and maintenance therapies. Nevertheless, this approach is currently challenged by the promising results of long-term treatment with novel agents. Recent data suggest that the upfront combination of a proteasome inhibitor plus one immunomodulatory drug (IMiD) is highly effective. The most promising 3-drug association might be Bortezomib, Lenalidomide and dexamethasone (VRD). Adjunction of a 4th drug is not proven to be more efficient. Consolidation and maintenance therapies are emerging in all trials with great results. For elderly patients, or not eligible for ASCT, the introduction of novel agents has also changed the management of the disease. Melphalan-prednisone-thalidomide and bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone are the two standards of care. Current trials are challenging the role of alkylators in the frontline setting. Maintenance therapy is also undergoing evaluation.

The arrival of the novel agents thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide has significantly changed our approach to the management of multiple myeloma and, importantly, patient outcomes have improved. These agents have been investigated intensively in different treatment settings, providing us with data to make evidence-based decisions regarding the optimal management of patients. This review is an update to a previous summary of European treatment practices that examines new data that have been published or presented at congresses up to the end of 2010 and assesses their impact on treatment practices.

Deletion of the 17p13 chromosomal region [del(17p)] is associated with a poor outcome in multiple myeloma. Most of the studies have targeted the TP53 gene for deletion analyses, although no study showed that this gene is the deletion target. In order to address this issue, we sequenced the TP53 gene in 92 patients with multiple myeloma at diagnosis, 54 with a del(17p) and 38 lacking del(17p). At least one mutation was found in 20 patients, all of them presenting a del(17p). The analysis of the mutation location showed that virtually all of them occurred in highly conserved domains involved in the DNA-protein interactions. In conclusion, we showed that 37% of the myeloma patients with del(17p) present a TP53 mutation versus 0% in patients lacking the del(17p). The prognostic significance of these mutations remains to be evaluated.

Introduction of the proteasome inhibitor bortezomib and the immunomodulatory drugs thalidomide and lenalidomide has substantially improved outcomes for patients with multiple myeloma. As a result, these drugs have become cornerstones of current antimyeloma treatment regimens. However, after several years of clinical experience it has become apparent that peripheral neuropathy is the most common and potentially disabling non-haematological side-effect associated with thalidomide and bortezomib. Maximising treatment benefit while preserving quality of life therefore requires a careful balance between achieving optimum activity and minimising toxicity, including neuropathy, to further enhance efficacy. In this review, we discuss all aspects of drug-induced peripheral neuropathy in myeloma, with a particular focus on thalidomide and bortezomib., (Copyright © 2010 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: Cytogenetics is an important prognostic parameter in multiple myeloma (MM). Patients presenting with either t(4;14) or del(17p) are known to have a short event-free survival (EFS) and overall survival (OS). Some preliminary data suggest that bortezomib is able to overcome these prognostic parameters., Patients and Methods: A series of 507 patients with newly diagnosed MM who received four cycles of bortezomib-dexamethasone induction therapy before high-dose melphalan were analyzed for both t(4;14) and del(17p)., Results: We found that both t(4;14) and del(17p) remain prognostic parameters, even in the context of bortezomib treatment. However, it is important to note that bortezomib significantly improves the prognosis (in terms of both EFS and OS) of patients with t(4;14), compared with patients treated with vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone induction therapy. In contrast, no improvement was observed for del(17p) patients., Conclusion: Short-term bortezomib induction improves outcome of patients with t(4;14) but not the outcome of patients with del(17p). However, both abnormalities remain prognostic factors predicting both EFS and OS despite bortezomib induction.

Purpose: To compare efficacy and safety of bortezomib plus dexamethasone and vincristine plus doxorubicin plus dexamethasone (VAD) as induction before stem-cell transplantation in previously untreated myeloma., Patients and Methods: Four hundred eighty-two patients were randomly assigned to VAD (n = 121), VAD plus dexamethasone, cyclophosphamide, etoposide, and cisplatin (DCEP) consolidation (n = 121), bortezomib plus dexamethasone (n = 121), or bortezomib plus dexamethasone plus DCEP (n = 119), followed by autologous stem-cell transplantation. Patients not achieving very good partial response (VGPR) required a second transplantation. The primary end point was postinduction complete response/near complete response (CR/nCR) rate., Results: Postinduction CR/nCR (14.8% v 6.4%), at least VGPR (37.7% v 15.1%), and overall response (78.5% v 62.8%) rates were significantly higher with bortezomib plus dexamethasone versus VAD; CR/nCR and at least VGPR rates were higher regardless of disease stage or adverse cytogenetic abnormalities. Response rates were similar in patients who did and did not receive DCEP. Post first transplantation, CR/nCR (35.0% v 18.4%) and at least VGPR (54.3% v 37.2%) rates remained significantly higher with bortezomib plus dexamethasone. Median progression-free survival (PFS) was 36.0 months versus 29.7 months (P = .064) with bortezomib plus dexamethasone versus VAD; respective 3-year survival rates were 81.4% and 77.4% (median follow-up, 32.2 months). The incidence of severe adverse events appeared similar between groups, but hematologic toxicity and deaths related to toxicity (zero v seven) were more frequent with VAD. Conversely, rates of grade 2 (20.5% v 10.5%) and grades 3 to 4 (9.2% v 2.5%) peripheral neuropathy during induction through first transplantation were significantly higher with bortezomib plus dexamethasone., Conclusion: Bortezomib plus dexamethasone significantly improved postinduction and post-transplantation CR/nCR and at least VGPR rates compared with VAD and resulted in a trend for longer PFS. Bortezomib plus dexamethasone should therefore be considered a standard of care in this setting.

Background: Cardiac involvement is one of the most important prognostic factors in systemic AL amyloidosis. The aim of our study was to assess the role of cardiovascular magnetic resonance (CMR) imaging in prognosis evaluation in AL amyloidosis., Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 29 consecutive patients with AL amyloidosis who had undergone CMR. Clinical, laboratory, echocardiographic, and CMR characteristics were compared between CMR-positive (ie, with CMR signs of cardiac localization of AL amyloidosis) and CMR-negative patients. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess the prognostic value of positive CMR in comparison with other prognostic factors., Results: CMR was positive in 11 patients (38%). The overall survival rates for CMR-positive patients were 28%, 14%, and 14% versus 84%, 77%, and 45% at 1, 2, and 5 years, respectively, for CMR-negative patients (P=.002). Late gadolinium enhancement patterns, biventricular hypertrophy, and pericardial effusion on CMR were more frequent in nonsurvivors. Congestive heart failure, abnormal echocardiography, Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group grade >1, brain natriuretic peptide, and left ventricular ejection fraction <55% also were associated with a decreased survival. The presence of congestive heart failure was the only significant variable associated with survival on multivariate analysis., Conclusion: We found that the presence of a positive CMR in AL amyloidosis was associated with a significantly increased risk of death, in particular of cardiac origin, but was not independent of clinical congestive heart failure.

Thalidomide has received approval from the European Agency for the Evaluation of Medicinal Products for the treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients older than 65 years or ineligible for transplant. The results of five phase III trials assessing thalidomide in combination with melphalan and prednisone (MPT) have demonstrated significantly improved response rates compared with melphalan and prednisone (MP) alone. Additionally, two of these studies showed that survival was extended by approximately 18 months in patients treated with MPT compared with MP alone. Thalidomide, in combination with MP, is associated with adverse events (AEs) including peripheral neuropathy and venous thromboembolism. In order to optimize the efficacy of MPT, a good awareness of these AEs is imperative. This manuscript outlines both evidence- and consensus-based recommendations discussed by a panel of experts, to provide a practical guide for physicians addressing the effective management of newly diagnosed, transplant-ineligible MM patients receiving thalidomide therapy.

Nilotinib is a highly selective Bcr-Abl inhibitor approved for imatinib-resistant chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). Nilotinib and dasatinib, a multi-targeted kinase inhibitor also approved for second-line therapy in CML, have different patterns of kinase selectivity, pharmacokinetics, and cell uptake and efflux properties, and thus patients may respond to one following failure of the other. An international phase II study of nilotinib was conducted in CML patients (39 chronic phase (CP), 21 accelerated phase (AP)) after failure of both imatinib and dasatinib. Median times from diagnosis of CP or AP to nilotinib therapy were 89 and 83 months, respectively. Complete hematological response and major cytogenetic response (MCyR) rates in CP were 79% and 43%, respectively. Of 17 evaluable patients with CML-AP, 5 (29%) had a confirmed hematological response and 2 (12%) a MCyR. The median time to progression has not yet been reached in CP patients. At 18 months 59% of patients were progression-free. Median overall survival for both populations has not been reached, and the estimated 18-month survival rate in CML-CP was 86% and that at 12 months for CML-AP was 80%. Nilotinib is an effective therapy in CML-CP and -AP following failure of both imatinib and dasatinib therapy.

The treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) has undergone significant developments in recent years. The availability of the novel agents thalidomide, bortezomib, and lenalidomide has expanded treatment options and has improved the outcome of patients with MM. Following the introduction of these agents in the relapsed/refractory setting, they are also undergoing investigation in the initial treatment of MM. A number of phase III trials have demonstrated the efficacy of novel agent combinations in the transplant and nontransplant settings, and based on these results standard induction regimens are being challenged and replaced. In the transplant setting, a number of newer induction regimens are now available that have been shown to be superior to the vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone regimen. Similarly, in the front-line treatment of patients not eligible for transplantation, regimens incorporating novel agents have been found to be superior to the traditional melphalan plus prednisone regimen. Importantly, some of the novel agents appear to be active in patients with high-risk disease, such as adverse cytogenetic features, and certain comorbidities, such as renal impairment. This review presents an overview of the most recent data with these novel agents and summarizes European treatment practices incorporating the novel agents.

Purpose: The prognostic impact of complete response (CR) achievement in multiple myeloma (MM) has been shown mostly in the context of autologous stem-cell transplantation. Other levels of response have been defined because, even with high-dose therapy, CR is a relatively rare event. The purpose of this study was to analyze the prognostic impact of very good partial response (VGPR) in patients treated with high-dose therapy., Patients and Methods: All patients were included in the Intergroupe Francophone du Myelome 99-02 and 99-04 trials and treated with vincristine, doxorubicin, and dexamethasone (VAD) induction therapy followed by double autologous stem-cell transplantation (ASCT). Best post-ASCT response assessment was available for 802 patients., Results: With a median follow-up of 67 months, median event-free survival (EFS) and 5-year EFS were 42 months and 34%, respectively, for 405 patients who achieved at least VGPR after ASCT versus 32 months and 26% in 288 patients who achieved only partial remission (P = .005). Five-year overall survival (OS) was significantly superior in patients achieving at least VGPR (74% v 61% P = .0017). In multivariate analysis, achievement of less than VGPR was an independent factor predicting shorter EFS and OS. Response to VAD had no impact on EFS and OS. The impact of VGPR achievement on EFS and OS was significant in patients with International Staging System stages 2 to 3 and for patients with poor-risk cytogenetics t(4;14) or del(17p)., Conclusion: In the context of ASCT, achievement of at least VGPR is a simple prognostic factor that has importance in intermediate and high-risk MM and can be informative in more patients than CR.

This subgroup analysis of the phase III APEX (Assessment of Proteasome Inhibition for Extending Remissions) trial examined whether prior exposure to specific therapies affected the relative efficacy of bortezomib versus dexamethasone in relapsed/refractory myeloma. Time to progression and overall survival were superior with bortezomib in all subgroups, with no evidence of interaction between any prior therapies and assignment to study therapy. Patients with prior thalidomide exposure had worse outcomes overall, but neither prior thalidomide nor prior autologous stem cell transplantation affected the relative efficacy of bortezomib versus dexamethasone. These results confirm the superiority of bortezomib over dexamethasone, regardless of prior exposure to specific therapies (clinicaltrials.gov: NCT00048230).

Purpose: Chromosomal aberrations are a hallmark of multiple myeloma but their global prognostic impact is largely unknown., Patients and Methods: We performed a genome-wide analysis of malignant plasma cells from 192 newly diagnosed patients with myeloma using high-density, single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) arrays to identify genetic lesions associated with prognosis., Results: Our analyses revealed deletions and amplifications in 98% of patients. Amplifications in 1q and deletions in 1p, 12p, 14q, 16q, and 22q were the most frequent lesions associated with adverse prognosis, whereas recurrent amplifications of chromosomes 5, 9, 11, 15, and 19 conferred a favorable prognosis. Multivariate analysis retained three independent lesions: amp(1q23.3), amp(5q31.3), and del(12p13.31). When adjusted to the established prognostic variables (ie, t(4;14), del(17p), and serum beta(2)-microglobulin [Sbeta(2)M]), del(12p13.31) remained the most powerful independent adverse marker (P < .0001; hazard ratio [HR], 3.17) followed by Sbeta(2)M (P < .0001; HR, 2.78) and the favorable marker amp(5q31.3) (P = .0005; HR, 0.37). Patients with amp(5q31.3) alone and low Sbeta(2)M had an excellent prognosis (5-year overall survival, 87%); conversely, patients with del(12p13.31) alone or amp(5q31.3) and del(12p13.31) and high Sbeta(2)M had a very poor outcome (5-year overall survival, 20%). This prognostic model was validated in an independent validation cohort of 273 patients with myeloma., Conclusion: These findings demonstrate the power and accessibility of molecular karyotyping to predict outcome in myeloma. In addition, integration of expression of genes residing in the lesions of interest revealed putative features of the disease driving short survival.

Purpose: Until recently, melphalan and prednisone were the standards of care in elderly patients with multiple myeloma. The addition of thalidomide to this combination demonstrated a survival benefit for patients age 65 to 75 years. This randomized, placebo-controlled, phase III trial investigated the efficacy of melphalan and prednisone plus thalidomide in patients older than 75 years with newly diagnosed myeloma., Patients and Methods: Between April 2002 and December 2006, 232 previously untreated patients with myeloma, age 75 years or older, were enrolled and 229 were randomly assigned to treatment. All patients received melphalan (0.2 mg/kg/d) plus prednisone (2 mg/kg/d) for 12 courses (day 1 to 4) every 6 weeks. Patients were randomly assigned to receive 100 mg/d of oral thalidomide (n = 113) or placebo (n = 116), continuously for 72 weeks. The primary end point was overall survival., Results: After a median follow-up of 47.5 months, overall survival was significantly longer in patients who received melphalan and prednisone plus thalidomide compared with those who received melphalan and prednisone plus placebo (median, 44.0 v 29.1 months; P = .028). Progression-free survival was significantly prolonged in the melphalan and prednisone plus thalidomide group (median, 24.1 v 18.5 months; P = .001). Two adverse events were significantly increased in the melphalan and prednisone plus thalidomide group: grade 2 to 4 peripheral neuropathy (20% v 5% in the melphalan and prednisone plus placebo group; P < .001) and grade 3 to 4 neutropenia (23% v 9%; P = .003)., Conclusion: This trial confirms the superiority of the combination melphalan and prednisone plus thalidomide over melphalan and prednisone alone for prolonging survival in very elderly patients with newly diagnosed myeloma. Toxicity was acceptable.

Background: Bisphosphonates (BPs) prevent, reduce, and delay multiple myeloma (MM)-related skeletal complications. Intravenous pamidronate and zoledronic acid, and oral clodronate are used for the management of MM bone disease. The purpose of this paper is to review the current evidence for the use of BPs in MM and provide European Union-specific recommendations to support the clinical practice of treating myeloma bone disease., Design and Methods: An interdisciplinary, expert panel of specialists on MM and myeloma-related bone disease convened for a face-to-face meeting to review and assess the evidence and develop the recommendations. The panel reviewed and graded the evidence available from randomized clinical trials, clinical practice guidelines, and the body of published literature. Where published data were weak or unavailable, the panel used their own clinical experience to put forward recommendations based solely on their expert opinions., Results: The panel recommends the use of BPs in MM patients suffering from lytic bone disease or severe osteoporosis. Intravenous administration may be preferable; however, oral administration can be considered for patients unable to make hospital visits. Dosing should follow approved indications with adjustments if necessary. In general, BPs are well tolerated, but preventive steps should be taken to avoid renal impairment and osteonecrosis of the jaw (ONJ). The panel agrees that BPs should be given for 2 years, but this may be extended if there is evidence of active myeloma bone disease. Initial therapy of ONJ should include discontinuation of BPs until healing occurs. BPs should be restarted if there is disease progression., Conclusions: BPs are an essential component of MM therapy for minimizing skeletal morbidity. Recent retrospective data indicate that a modified dosing regimen and preventive measures can greatly reduce the incidence of ONJ.

This subset analysis of data from two phase III studies in patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM) evaluated the benefit of initiating lenalidomide plus dexamethasone at first relapse. Multivariate analysis showed that fewer prior therapies, along with beta(2)-microglobulin (< or = 2.5 mg/L), predicted a better time to progression (TTP; study end-point) with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone treatment. Patients with one prior therapy showed a significant improvement in benefit after first relapse compared with those who received two or more therapies. Patients with one prior therapy had significantly prolonged median TTP (17.1 vs. 10.6 months; P = 0.026) and progression-free survival (14.1 vs. 9.5 months, P = 0.047) compared with patients treated in later lines. Overall response rates were higher (66.9% vs. 56.8%, P = 0.06), and the complete response plus very good partial response rate was significantly higher in first relapse (39.8% vs. 27.7%, P = 0.025). Importantly, overall survival was significantly prolonged for patients treated with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone with one prior therapy, compared with patients treated later in salvage (median of 42.0 vs. 35.8 months, P = 0.041), with no differences in toxicity, dose reductions, or discontinuations despite longer treatment. Therefore, lenalidomide plus dexamethasone is both effective and tolerable for second-line MM therapy and the data suggest that the greatest benefit occurs with earlier use.

Melphalan-prednisone-thalidomide (MPT) and melphalan-prednisone-bortezomib (MPV) currently appear to be the treatments of choice for a large proportion of elderly multiple myeloma (MM) patients ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). It seems certain that in the near future cyclophosphamide-thalidomide-dexamethasone, with an attenuated dose of dexamethasone (CTDa), and melphalan-prednisone-lenalidomide (MPR) will also be proved superior to MP, thus providing four therapeutic options in this patient group. These options could lead to more personalized treatment approaches, based on patient comorbidities, as the three novel agents have somewhat different toxicity profiles. MP would be appropriate for only a minority of patients with poor performance status and/or significant comorbidities. Questions regarding the relative efficacy of different melphalan-based regimens or melphalan-based regimens versus dexamethasone-based regimens with low-dose dexamethasone will require further trials. Additionally, the important issue of maintenance treatment needs to be investigated. These new and emerging therapies provide multiple effective treatment options for MM patients and greatly enhanced treatment strategies for clinicians, all offering promise that has been sorely lacking over the past four decades.

The frequency, characteristics and reversibility of bortezomib-associated peripheral neuropathy were evaluated in the phase III APEX (Assessment of Proteasome Inhibition for Extending Remissions) trial in patients with relapsed myeloma, and the impact of a dose-modification guideline on peripheral neuropathy severity and reversibility was assessed. Patients received bortezomib 1.3 mg/m(2) (days 1, 4, 8, 11, eight 21-d cycles, then days 1, 8, 15, 22, three 35-d cycles); bortezomib was held, dose-reduced or discontinued depending on peripheral neuropathy severity, according to a protocol-specified dose-modification guideline. Overall, 124/331 patients (37%) had treatment-emergent peripheral neuropathy, including 30 (9%) with grade >or=3; incidence and severity were not affected by age, number/type of prior therapies, baseline glycosylated haemoglobin level, or diabetes history. Grade >or=3 incidence appeared lower versus phase II trials (13%) that did not specifically provide dose-modification guidelines. Of patients with grade >or=2 peripheral neuropathy, 58/91 (64%) experienced improvement or resolution to baseline at a median of 110 d, including 49/72 (68%) who had dose modification versus 9/19 (47%) who did not. Efficacy did not appear adversely affected by dose modification for grade >or=2 peripheral neuropathy. Bortezomib-associated peripheral neuropathy is manageable and reversible in most patients with relapsed myeloma. Dose modification using a specific guideline improves peripheral neuropathy management without adversely affecting outcome.

Melphalan combined with prednisone (MP) has long been the historical treatment of reference for a large proportion of elderly myeloma (MM) patients ineligible for autologous stem cell transplantation, and is still the backbone of new regimens that include the new era of novel agents. Melphalan-prednisone-thalidomide (MPT) and melphalan-prednisone-bortezomib (Velcade((R)), MPV), proved superior to MP, currently appear to be the treatments of choice for this population. In the near future melphalan-prednisone-lenalidomide (Revlimid((R)), MPR) will also provide a third therapeutic option (MPT, MPV, and MPR), in elderly multiple myeloma, eventually. These options could lead to more personalized treatment approaches, based on patient comorbidities, as the three novel agents have somewhat different toxicity profiles. Dexamethasone-based regimen is another option and questions regarding the relative efficacy of melphalan-based versus low-dose dexamethasone-based regimens will require randomized phase III trials. More intensive approaches with new drug combinations or with the incorporation of polyethylene glycolated (PEGylated) liposomal doxorubicin will also require additional studies. Additionally, the important issue of maintenance treatment needs to be further investigated. These new and emerging therapies offer multiple effective treatment options for MM patients and greatly enhanced treatment strategies for clinicians.

Until 2007, frontline chemotherapy with melphalan and prednisone (MP) was considered as the standard of care in the treatment of elderly patients with multiple myeloma (MM). Recently, several prospective randomized studies comparing MP with the same combination plus new agents such as thalidomide (MPT) or bortezomib (MPV) clearly showed that MPT and MPV were superior to MP in terms of progression-free and overall survival. Melphalan-prednisone-lenalidomide (MPR) is currently compared to MP in one prospective trial and will also probably be superior to MP. Lenalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone is a promising combination. Thus, at least four highly active new treatment options are now available to treat elderly patients with MM. The goal of future trials will be to determine the best treatment strategy in this group of patients.

Purpose: The aim of this subset analysis was to determine if bortezomib treatment is associated with increased incidence of varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM)., Patients and Methods: Incidence of herpes zoster was evaluated in 663 patients with relapsed MM from the phase III APEX trial comparing single-agent bortezomib with high-dose dexamethasone., Results: Bortezomib was associated with a significantly higher incidence of herpes zoster compared with dexamethasone treatment (13%, 42 of 331 v 5%, 15 of 332; P = .0002). Most herpes zoster infections were grade 1/2; incidences of grade 3/4 events (1.8% v 1.5%) and infections considered serious adverse events (1.5% v 0.9%) were similar between treatment arms, and no herpes zoster-related deaths occurred. Neither the time to onset of the herpes event nor the patients' absolute lymphocyte counts at baseline differed significantly between arms. VZV reactivation was the only herpes viral event noted to be significantly elevated in the bortezomib treatment group compared with the dexamethasone treatment group (P = .0002). The incidence of non-VZV-related herpes viral infections was comparable between arms. No additional risk factors for herpes zoster reactivation were identified., Conclusion: Further studies are needed to explain these observations and their implications; however, for patients treated with bortezomib or bortezomib-containing regimens, the risk of VZV reactivation should be monitored and routine use of antiviral prophylaxis considered.

Quality of response is associated with prolonged overall survival (OS) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. This cohort study within the phase 3 Assessment of Proteasome Inhibition for Extending Remissions (APEX) trial of bortezomib versus dexamethasone in relapsed myeloma assessed the relationship between quality of response to bortezomib (n = 315) and clinical benefit. Treatment-free interval (TFI), time to alternative therapy (TTAT), time to progression (TTP) and OS were assessed in response-evaluable patients in the bortezomib arm in cohorts defined by achievement of complete response (CR; n = 27), very good partial response (VGPR; n = 31), partial response (PR; n = 77), minimal response (MR; n = 21) or non-response (NR, including stable and progressive disease; n = 159). CR was associated with significantly longer median TFI (24.1 vs. 6.9/6.4 months) and TTAT (27.1 vs. 13.6/14 months) versus VGPR/PR. Median TTP was similar in CR, VGPR and PR cohorts; median OS was not reached. Patients achieving MR appeared to have prolonged median TFI (3.8 vs. 2.3 months), TTAT (8.7 vs. 6.2 months), TTP (4.9 vs. 2.8 months) and OS (24.9 vs. 18.7 months) versus NR. In conclusion, bortezomib had substantial activity in relapsed myeloma patients; CR may be a surrogate marker for significant clinical benefit with bortezomib. MR appeared to be valid as a separate response category in this setting.