Bendamustine, Prednisone, and Bortezomib Treatment for Light Chain Multiple Myeloma
Posted: Tuesday, September 19, 2017
A new study found that patients with newly diagnosed light chain multiple myeloma responded well to the combined treatment of bortezomib with bendamustine and prednisone (BDV). Hannah Tessanow, MD, of the University Hospital Leipzig in Germany, and colleagues, published their findings in the Journal of Cancer Research and Clinical Oncology.
Patients with light chain multiple myeloma frequently have light chain tubular cast nephropathy, which can lead to severe renal impairment. A pool of 25 patients with newly diagnosed light chain multiple myeloma were treated with BPV.
In total, 24 patients responded, with 4 stringent complete responses, 6 near-complete responses, 5 very good partial responses, and 9 partial responses. After treatment, the myeloma light chains decreased rapidly, reaching the best response in 9 patients after the first cycle and an additional 12 patients after the second cycle.
Overall, 12 of 18 patients with at least moderate renal failure improved renal functioning after treatment. Half of the six dialysis-dependent individuals became dialysis-independent. Median progression-free and overall survival at 30 months were 68% and 96%, respectively.
The most common adverse event was grade 3/4 leukocytopenia, which occurred in 20% of study patients. Grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia was seen in 12% of patients, and moderate to severe infection was observed in six patients.
