Bortezomib (velcade) plus melphalan and prednisone in elderly untreated patients with multiple myeloma

Abstract

We used the bortezomib (velcade) plus MP (VMP) in 24 previously untreated patients with multiple myeloma (MM). The patients had a median age of 73 years (range, 65–83 years). For patients who received velcade plus MP the overall response rate was 62.4 %. 33.2 % patients achieved complete remission (CR+n-CR). The median duration of the CR was 10.3 months. Side effects were predictable and manageable. The most common adverse events reported were asthenia, neuropathy, neutropenia and anemia. Serious adverse events were rare. These results establish VMP as a new standard of care in elderly untreated patients with multiple myeloma. VMP is highly active and well tolerated in elderly patients (> 75 years) with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.

Keywords

• bortezomib
• multiple myeloma
• initial treatment
• complete remission
• overall survival
• neuropathy