Effectiveness of Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone for the Treatment of Extramedullary Plasmacytoma in Patients with Multiple Myeloma: Report of Two Cases

Blood ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 124 (21) ◽  
pp. 5760-5760
Author(s):  
Katarína Masárová ◽  
Zdenka Stefanikova ◽  
Martin Mistrik ◽  
Angelika Batorova

Abstract Extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP) can occur at the time of primary diagnosis of multiple myeloma (MM), during the disease, or as solitary plasmacytoma without bone marrow involvement. The presence of EMP at any time in the course of disease is associated with significantly shorter overall survival and progression-free survival. We report a series of two patients with EMP who were successfully treated with lenalidomide and dexamethasone. The first patient was diagnosed in 2006 with EMP in the spine without presence of MM at the time of diagnosis. Reconstruction surgery followed by high dose dexamethasone treatment led to stabilization of patient’s condition. Patient received zoledronic acid for prevention of skeletal fractures. In 2011 the patient was diagnosed with MM and two new EMP lesions in the spine were discovered. The patient received bortezomib and achieved a partial remission. In 2012 a significant growth of EMP in retroperitoneum was observed. Tumor was surgically removed, plasmacytoma was confirmed histologically. Patient was treated with lenalidomide and dexamethasone with subsequent autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (APBSCT) and achieved complete remission. Patient Two had advanced stage of MM at the time of diagnosis, without presence of EMP. She was treated with induction therapy followed by APBSCT. EMP in the area of clivus, diagnosed three years after initial diagnosis of MM was successfully managed with conventional chemotherapy and radiotherapy. In 2010 another EMP in the left sphenoid sinus progressed during relapse of MM. Treatment with lenalidomide and dexametazone led to remission of MM and disparition of EMP. Both patients are in complete remission at the time of submitting this abstract. Our clinical experience strongly suggests that lenalidomide with dexamethasone is an effective agent for treating EMP in patients with MM. The treatment was well tolerated with manageable side effects. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3107-3107
Author(s):  
Barbara Botto ◽  
Chiara Ciochetto ◽  
Marilena Bellò ◽  
Roberto Passera ◽  
Giulia Benevolo ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 3107 High dose chemotherapy (HDC) and ASCT is actually considered an effective treatment for relapsed NHL. Standard dose Zevalin (0.4 mCi/kg) combined with conventional BEAM (Z-BEAM) is a promising conditioning regimen for the treatment of high risk relapsed/resistant NHL. We evaluated the feasibility and the efficacy of Z-BEAM in a group of relapsed/refractory patients treated in a single institution. Between October 2006 and December 2010 twenty nine pts were treated with Zevalin (day –14) followed by standard dose BEAM (day –7 to –1) and ASCT. Patients were included into the study and considered at high risk of failure if showed: progression or early relapse (<1 year) from previous therapy or multiple relapses. Rituximab followed by standard dose DHAP or ICE were used as debulking and mobilizing schedule. Clinical characteristics were as follows: 14 refractory and 15 early or multiple relapse; 8 grade I-II follicular, 16 PML/DLBCL, 3 MCL, 2 indolent non follicular; 6 stage II and 23 stage III-IV; 10 patients had bulky disease and 15 bone marrow involvement; 9 LDH level above normal. 13 patients received only one previous line of treatment and 16 were treated with 2 or more lines before Z-BEAM, all containing Rituximab. Only 5/29 patinets received a reducted dose of 0.3 mCi/kg Zevalin because of low platelets counts. Response status before RIT was: 14 CR (49%), 9 PR (33%), 3 SD (9%) and 3 PD (9%). At the end of treatment response status is actually available in 26/29 pts: CR 18(69%), PR 5(19%) and PD 3 (12%). Overall response rate was converted from 81% before Z-BEAM and ASCT to 88% at the end of the entire program. Median CD34+ cells infused was 7.26 106/kilograms (range 4.43–8.9). All pts engrafted with median time to platelet and neuthrophils count higher than 20×109/l and 0.5×109/L of 11 and 10 days respectively. Febrile neutropenia occurred in 12/29 pts. One pulmonary Aspergillosis and 8 bacteriemia were documented. One patient experienced an intestinal perforation during aplasia and one cardiac failure was documented in a woman previously treated with cumulative antraciclines doses and mediastinal radiotherapy. With a median follow up of 15 months progression free survival (PFS) is 79% and overall survival is 83%. 4/14 pts before Z-BEAM showed a subsequent progression and 2/15 relapsed: five pts died of lymphoma. No toxic deaths were recorded. In this group of pts with high risk relapsed/resistant NHL Z-BEAM+ASCT is able to achieve a good response with engraftment and toxicity not different from standard BEAM. This approach needs to be tested in a larger multicenter study. A matched pair analysis to compare this group with a similar group treated with standard BEAM without Zevalin is actually planned in our institution Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2012 ◽  
Vol 120 (21) ◽  
pp. 4046-4046 ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Clave ◽  
Corinne Douay ◽  
Tereza Coman ◽  
Marc Busson ◽  
Caroline Bompoint ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 4046 Treatment with lenalidomide, an immunomodulatory drug, increases the time to progression in relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. However, due to its pleiotropic effect, it is not known whether the efficacy of this drug is due only to direct tumor toxicity or also to immunomodulatory effects. We assessed in vivo the changes in T-cell reconstitution induced by lenalidomide consolidation and maintenance treatment following autologous peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in a cohort of multiple myeloma patients. Twenty-nine newly diagnosed myeloma patients were treated with the induction combination bortezomib plus dex followed by high dose melphalan (140–200 mg/m2) and ASCT. A first group of 11 patients were treated with lenalidomide consolidation initiated 3 to 6 months post transplantation: 25 mg/day, days 1–21 of a 28 day cycle for 2 months, followed by maintenance (10 mg/day) until disease progression. This group was compared with the 18 patients who did not receive any treatment after ASCT. Blood samples were collected at diagnosis, before the transplant and 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 18 months after ASCT. Thymic function was assessed by real-time PCR quantification of T cell receptor excision circles (sjTREC) and percentages and absolute counts of T lymphocyte subpopulations were determined by multicolor flow cytometry. Statistics were performed using the Log-Rank or Mann-Whitney test. The two cohorts had similar baseline characteristics and all 29 patients were in remission after ASCT. With a median follow-up of 4 years, progression-free survival (PFS) was superior with lenalidomide treatment (69% vs 36%, p=0.05) while overall survival (OS) was similar (82% vs 75%, p=0.5). Lenalidomide treatment induced a progressive decrease in sjTREC (median at 18 months, 0.25/μL vs 1.61/μL, p<0.05) and a decrease in the percentages and absolute counts of CD4+ and CD8+ CD45RA+CCR7- effector terminal T cell subpopulations (median at 18 months, 3.2/μL vs 17.6/μL, p<0.05 for CD4+CD45RA+CCR7- and 109/μL vs 345/μL, p<0.05 for CD8+CD45RA+CCR7-). Conversely, lenalidomide treated patients displayed an increase in CD4+CD25+CD127-/low Treg populations, in both percentage and absolute count (median 13% vs 8 %, p<0.05 and 48.9/μL vs 29.3/μL, p<0.05, respectively). No correlation was found with documented infections, relapse or survival. We confirm an increase in PFS with lenalidomide consolidation/maintenance following ASCT. However, our data also suggest that in myeloma patients, the effect of lenalidomide on the myeloma tumor may not be T cell mediated and this treatment may have a negative impact on the T cell immune surveillance. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 4184-4184
Author(s):  
Martin Simkovic ◽  
David Belada ◽  
Monika Motyckova ◽  
Lukas Smolej ◽  
Pavel Zak

Abstract Introduction High-dose methylprednisolone (HDMP) in combination with rituximab is active in the treatment of relapsed/refractory chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) but serious infections are frequent. Recently published data suggest that high-dose dexamethasone might be equally effective to HDMP despite lower cumulative dose. Aims To assess efficacy and safety of high-dose dexamethasone combined with rituximab (R-dex) in relapsed/refractory CLL. Patients and Methods A total of 60 pts (pts) with relapsed/refractory CLL treated at a single tertiary center between September 2008 and October 2012 were included in this retrospective analysis. Basic characteristics are summarized in Table 1. The schedule of R-dex consisted of rituximab 500 mg/m2 i.v. day 1 (375 mg/m2 in cycle 1) and dexamethasone 40 mg orally on days 1-4 and 10-13. Treatment was repeated every 3 weeks for a maximum of 8 cycles. All pts received antimicrobial prophylaxis with sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim and aciclovir. Results Median number of administered R-dex cycles was 6 (range, 1-8). The overall response (ORR)/complete remissions (CR) were achieved in 75/3%. At the median follow-up of 9 months, median progression-free survival was 8 months and median overall survival 24 months. Significant predictors of short PFS in univariate analysis were bulky lymphadenopathy (p=0.023) and refractoriness to fludarabine (p=0.02). Interestingly, activity of R-dex in bulky fludarabine-refractory CLL was similar to ofatumumab (ORR 62 %, median PFS, 4 months, median OS, 12 months) (Wierda et al., 2010). R-dex was successfully used as a debulking regimen before allogeneic stem cell transplantation in 8 patients. Serious (CTCAE grade III/IV) infections occurred in 29% of patients; 19% pts developed steroid diabetes requiring temporary short-acting insulin. Conclusions Our data show that R-Dex is an active and feasible treatment for patients with relapsed/refractory CLL; however, major infections remain relatively frequent despite combined antimicrobial prophylaxis. In addition, durable responses are infrequent. Therefore, further optimization of this therapeutic approach is warranted. Updated results will be presented. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2015 ◽  
Vol 126 (23) ◽  
pp. 4210-4210
Author(s):  
Luiza soares Vieira ◽  
Edvan de queiroz Crusoe ◽  
Manuella de S. Sampaio Almeida ◽  
Lais Sousa ◽  
ana Lucia Perez ◽  
...  

Abstract Introduction - Oligoclonal bands (OB) are monoclonal proteins distinct from those originally identified in the multiple myeloma (MM) diagnosis. Some authors consider that appearance of these bands confers a better prognosis and may be linked to immune reconstitution. There is no data of the exact prevalence of OB emergence in patients with very good partial response (VGPR) or better after different treatment schedules. Objectives - To determine the prevalence of OB in MM patients treated with or without high-dose chemotherapy that obtained at least VGPR and its prognostic value. Methods- This is a retrospective and prospective cohort study. Data were collected from records of patients that achieved at least VGPR to identify the OB emergence. Subsequently, new sample collections from the positive patients were made in order to monitor the progress and duration of the maintenance of these bands. Results-Median follow-up was 42m and 101 patients were included. Median age was 58y (29-87) and 55% were male. IgG was the most frequent component (60%). Durie-Salmon IIIA/B was identified in 92% of the population; ISS was 33% in stage I, 30% in stage II, and 31% in stage III. The prevalence of OB identified by SPE and IF was 50.5% (51 cases), with a higher prevalence in those who underwent transplantation and those who achieved complete response (p=0.00139 and p=0.0368, respectively). Progression free survival (PFS) was longer in the OB group (45.4m x 34.7m p = 0.0075). Conclusion - The OB prevalence in this population was 50.5% and oligoclonality resulted in a longer PFS. Figure 1. Figure 1. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2007 ◽  
Vol 110 (11) ◽  
pp. 5108-5108
Author(s):  
Wanda M. Knopinska-Posluszny ◽  
Andrzej Hellmann ◽  
Michal Taszner ◽  
Anna Dmoszynska ◽  
Wiktor Jedrzejczak ◽  
...  

Abstract In recent years high-dose therapy with autoHSCT has become the treatment of choice for eligible patients with multiple myeloma. This disease is now one of the most common indications for autotransplantation. The aim of this study was the clinical assessment of patients who underwent autotransplantation of progenitor cells and an analysis of the results of conducted treatment. The Polish Myeloma Group collected results of auto HSCT from 12 transplantology centres in Poland conducted between 1995 and 2006. We analyzed retrospectively the prognostic influence of pre-transplant characteristics on response and survival in 498 patients. Virtually all the patients received peripheral blood stem cell support after conditioning with melphalan (95%). We evaluated the influence of age, type of myeloma, Durie-Salmon stage, presence of renal impairment, plasma cell infiltration, albumin and b2 microglobulin level at diagnosis, status prior to and post HSCT, time from diagnosis to HSCT on overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) to define patients with better prognosis. 232 females and 266 males underwent auto HSCT, and these included 297 (59,6%) with IgG, 97 (19,5%) with IgA, 31 (6%) with B-J, 22 (4,4%) with non-secretory myeloma. Bone structure changes were ascertained in 355 patients (71%). Bone marrow involvement higher than 20% was found in 282 patients (56,6%) at diagnosis. A decreased level of albumin (<35g/l) was determined in 168 patients (33,7%), and b2microglobuline level above 3,5 mg/l in 124 patients (24,9%). Transplantation of progenitor cells was conducted as consolidation of first line treatment following chemotherapy according to VAD in the majority of patients (74,7%). This number increased to 246 (49,4%) following transplantation. Double transplantation was conducted in 132 patients (26,5%). Median OS and PFS obtained were 3272 (1391–4232) and 1158 (102–3767) days respectively. CR achieved before transplantation, normal renal function, albumin level above 35g/l, b2 mikroglobulin below 3,5mg/l and DS stage I, were associated with a longer OS and PFS (p<0,05). This retrospective, multicenter study confirms the efficacy and safety of autoHSCT in multiple myeloma patients. Additional confirmation is given of the increased rate of CR, and the significantly prolonged survival observed in complete responders. Taking the above into account the employment of new drugs, such as thalidomide or bortezomib, which allow the achievement of a higher percentage of remissions should in the future bring about an improvement of the efficacy of transplantation in multiple myeloma.


Blood ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 122 (21) ◽  
pp. 1963-1963 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hideo Yagi ◽  
Ryosuke Fujiwara ◽  
Keigo Sano ◽  
Keiko Yamazaki ◽  
Hitoshi Hanamoto ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The three drugs combination of cyclophosphamide, bortezomib and dexamethasone (CyBorD) is highly active regimen for the treatment of the patients with multiple myeloma (MM). However, twice-weekly schedule of bortezomib and high dose dexamethasone has been shown to cause significant toxicities, including peripheral neuropathy (PN) and thrombotic events. Once-weekly bortezomib induction therapy with reduced dosage of dexamethasone (modified-CyBorD) has shown less toxicity with high response rate equal to original regimen (Reeder, CB et al. Leukemia 2009). However, it was found more than half of the patients still developed bortezomib induced PN (BiPN) in this modification. Thus it was still concerned adverse event for the transplant ineligible patients, especially frail elderly patients because it often caused interruption or withdrawal of the treatments, resulting in fewer efficacies. Under these circumstances, we have studied the reduced-dosage of CyBorD regimen (reduced-CyBorD) in the treatment of transplant ineligible patients with MM to assess response and toxicity. Methods The protocol consisted of bortezomib given intravenously at a dose of 1.3 mg/m2 once a week on days 1, 8, 15, cyclophosphamide orally at a dose of 50 mg daily on days 1-21, and dexamethasone orally or intravenously at a dose of 20 mg daily on days 1,2,8,9,15,16 in 4-week cycles. Total of 32 patients, including 20 newly diagnosed and 12 refractory, were treated with reduced-CyBorD and evaluated its efficacy and safety. Results The median age was 72 years (range from 62 to 88). 14 patients were more than 75 year-old (44 %). 15 patients were female. According ISS, 4 patients were classified in stage I, 10 were in II, and 18 were in III. The overall response (ORR) was 90.6 % with 43.8 % of CR/nCR (6 CR, 8 nCR, 7 VGPR and 8 PR). Hematological adverse events were anemia (18.8%; G1/2 n=7), neutropenia (37.5%; G1/2 n=10, G3/4 n=2), lymphocytopenia (43.8%; G1/2 n=10, G3/4 n=4), thrombocytopenia (12.5%; G1/2 n=1, G3/4 n=3). Non-hematological adverse events were pneumonia (12.5%; G2 n=2, G3 n=2), VZV infection (15.6%; G1/2 n=5), cerebral infarction (3.1%; G2 n=1). Importantly, only 6 patients (18.8%) developed grade 1 PN, and no patient reduced or discontinued bortezomib due to PN. The overall survival (OS) at 1, 2, and 3 years were 81, 63.1, and 45.9 %, respectively. In this study, neither inferior response nor poor survivals were significantly observed between over 75 year-old patients group (n=14) and under 75 year-old group (n=18) (ORR; 100 vs 83.4 %, CR/nCR; 42.9 vs 44.4 %, 1-year PFS 54.6 vs 50 %, and 3-year OS 29.8 vs 55 %). Conclusions Reduced-CyBorD with three times once-weekly bortezomib retained high efficacy seen in standard and modified CyBorD previously reported (ORR; 90.6 vs 88 and 93 %, CR/nCR; 43.8 vs 39 and 43 %). These results showed that our regimen has less toxicity, especially BiPN (18.8 %) compared with those previous regimens (64 % and 57 %), resulting in no discontinuation nor reduction of bortezomib. Furthermore, over 75 year-old patients group did not showed inferior outcomes in comparison with under 75 year-old patients group. Our results suggested that reduced-CyBorD might be suitable for the transplant ineligible patients, especially elderly frail patients (over 75 year-old) with MM. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 3059-3059 ◽  
Author(s):  
Annie W.S. Chow ◽  
Cindy H.S. Lee ◽  
Devendra K Hiwase ◽  
Luen Bik To ◽  
Noemi Horvath

Abstract Abstract 3059 Aim Despite novel agents, multiple myeloma (MM) remains incurable. The majority of patients with MM will relapse at some stage after induction therapy and high dose chemotherapy with autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT). Published studies have recommended salvage ASCT as an effective option in patients with relapsed MM. However, the patient cohort who will derive maximum benefit from salvage ASCT is still undefined and is likely to evolve with increasing therapeutic options. We aimed to evaluate the role of salvage ASCT in relapsed MM patients. Methods We performed a retrospective analysis of patients who underwent salvage ASCT for relapsed MM in South Australia between 1992 and 2011. Results During this period, autologous stem cell transplants were performed for 457 patients with newly diagnosed MM. Thirty-nine patients subsequently underwent salvage ASCT for relapsed MM. The median age of patients at salvage ASCT was 59 (34–73) years, and 85% were ISS I and II at diagnosis. The majority of patients (90%, n=35) had a progression free interval (PFI) of at least 12 months after initial ASCT, consistent with recommendations by current literature. Salvage ASCT was performed for four patients with PFI shorter than 12 months, due either to suboptimal response to novel agents (thalidomide, lenalidomide, bortezomib), or the lack of novel agent availability in the earlier years. The median progression-free survival (PFS) and median overall survival (OS) following salvage ASCT were 22 months (95% CI: 11–32) and 52 months (95% CI: 30–74) respectively. Non-relapsed mortality at 2 years was 7%. Following salvage ASCT, the median PFS (28 vs. 12 months, p = 0.006) and OS (83 vs. 26 months, p = 0.02) were significantly longer in patients whose progression free interval after the initial ASCT was > 24 months (Figures 1 and 2). Use of novel agents in salvage induction and maintenance therapy post salvage ASCT did not appear to influence outcome. Conclusion Our results suggest that there remains a role for salvage ASCT, even in the era of novel therapies. Salvage ASCT may result in durable responses, particularly in patients with longer progression free interval (> 24 months) following initial ASCT. This interval could be included as a selection criterion for patients with relapsed myeloma who remain transplant eligible. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Blood ◽  
2011 ◽  
Vol 118 (21) ◽  
pp. 4528-4528
Author(s):  
Sinem Civriz Bozdag ◽  
Pervin Topcuoglu ◽  
Meral Beksac ◽  
Osman Ilhan ◽  
Muhit Ozcan ◽  
...  

Abstract Abstract 4528 Purpose: We aimed to evaluate the outcome of multiple myeloma patients underwent double autologus hematopoietic cell transplantation in our center. Patient&Method: We retrospectively analyzed 31 multiple myeloma patients (22F;9M) receiving two times high dose therapy supported by auto-HCT in Adult BMT Unit of Ankara University between 2005–2010. Median age was 52 years (34–66ys) prior to first auto-HCT. We evaluated the response rates of progression free survival (PFS) of both transplantation, respectively and also overall survival (OS) from the diagnosis. Results: The median time from diagnosis to the first transplantation was 11 months (5–68ms). The response rates were 87% before the first auto-HSCT [2 Complete response (CR),4 near-CR, 7 very good partial remission (VGPR), 14 PR) but four patients (11%) had refractory disease. The response of first auto-HCT was complete remission or partial response in 50% of the pts and 36% for stable disease. Only 4 pts was progressed at early period of 1st auto-HCT. The median time from the 1st to 2nd auto-HSCT was 16 months (3–64 ms). Seventy-seven percent patients sue to progressive disease responded completely or partially to one or two step treatment regimens before the second auto-HSCT. When evaluated the responses after the second auto-HCT, 14 (46%) patients were in CR or near-CR, 12 (38%) for stabile disease and 5 for refractory. PFS was estimated similar after both first and second auto-HCT (median 9 months vs 10 months, p=0.3) (Graphic 1). Five- year OS from the diagnosis was 75±10%. Conclusion: PFS of the myeloma pts was estimated similar median time after 1st&2nd auto-HSCT. Collection of adequate hematopoietic stem cells enough for more than one auto-HCT in myeloma patients can be appropriate. Although the majority of responses after the first AHSCT were partial responses, complete or near complete responses were dominant after the second AHSCT.Improvement in responses and the similarity of progression free survival can be explained by the contribution of the new antimyelom treatment options Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.


Cancers ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 12 (3) ◽  
pp. 676 ◽  
Author(s):  
Khaled Elsayad ◽  
Michael Oertel ◽  
Laila König ◽  
Sebastian Hüske ◽  
Emmanuelle Le Ray ◽  
...  

Objective: Although local definitive radiotherapy (RT) is considered the standard of care for solitary plasmacytoma (SP), the optimal RT parameters for SP patients have not been defined. The aim of this retrospective study is to analyze the effectiveness of various RT doses, volumes, and techniques, as well as to define the relevant prognostic factors in SP. Methods: Between 2000 and 2019, 84 patients, including 54 with solitary bone plasmacytoma (SBP) and 30 with extramedullary plasmacytoma (EMP), underwent RT at six institutions. Results: The overall RT median dose was 42 Gy (range, 36.0–59.4). The median follow-up period was 46 months. Overall, the local control (LC) rate was 96%, while the complete remission (CR) rate was 46%. The 5-year local relapse-free survival (LRFS), multiple myeloma-free survival (MMFS), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were 89%, 71%, 55%, and 93%, respectively. Using an RT dose above 40 Gy was associated with a higher complete remission (CR) rate and a lower rate of local relapse. Modern irradiation techniques were associated with a trend toward a higher LC rate (98% vs. 87% for conventional, p = 0.09) and a significantly lower local relapse rate (6% vs. 25% for conventional, p = 0.04). However, RT dose escalation and technique did not lead to a significant effect on MMFS, PFS, and OS. Univariate analyses identified several patient characteristics as potentially relevant prognostic factors. In SBP patients, systemic therapy administration was associated significantly with MMFS and PFS rates. Conclusion: Using an RT dose >40 Gy and modern RT techniques may improve the local control and reduce the rate of relapse, without a significant impact on survival rates. The addition of systemic therapies may improve the MMFS and PFS rates of SBP patients.


2021 ◽  
Vol 11 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yu-Chin Hung ◽  
Jyh-Pyng Gau ◽  
Shang-Yi Huang ◽  
Bor-Sheng Ko ◽  
Chieh-Lin Jerry Teng

BackgroundThe therapeutic options of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (RRMM) remain a challenge. The MM-003 trial demonstrated that RRMM patients treated with pomalidomide and dexamethasone (Pom/Dex) have better progression-free survival (PFS) than those treated with high-dose dexamethasone alone. However, the real-world effectiveness of Pom/Dex in these patients in Taiwan remains unclear.MethodsThis multicenter, registry-based study retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 49 consecutive patients undergoing Pom/Dex treatment for RRMM. We investigated the overall response rate (ORR) and PFS in these patients. The patients were stratified into two groups: those who received two (n=33) and those who received more than two (n=16) prior lines of treatment according to the numbers of regimens before Pom/Dex therapy. The differences in ORR and PFS between these two groups were further analyzed. We also analyzed factors attributed to disease progression.ResultsThe ORR was 47.7%, and the median PFS was 4.0 months (range, 0.1−21.1). Patients who received two prior lines of treatment had a higher ORR than those who received more than two prior lines of treatment (55.2% vs. 33.3%; p=0.045). The median PFS of these groups was 4.8 and 3.9 months, respectively (p=0.805). Primary lenalidomide refractoriness reduced the risk of myeloma progression following Pom/Dex treatment (hazard ratio, 0.14; p=0.001).ConclusionsThe median PFS following Pom/Dex treatment in Taiwanese RRMM patients in a real-world setting was similar to that reported by the MM-003 trial. Primary lenalidomide refractoriness should not be an obstacle for Pom/Dex treatment in RRMM.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document