Zhong Yuping

Department of Hematology, Beijing Chaoyang Hospital, Capital Medical University

Objective: The aim of this retrospective analysis was to evaluate the efficacy and safety of retreatment with a bortezomib-based therapy in relapsed multiple myeloma (MM) patients who had previously responded to bortezomib treatment. Method: The clinical records of 70 patients who underwent retreatment were evaluated. All of the individuals enrolled in the trial were progressive MM patients who had tolerated bortezomib during the initial treatment and exhibited a minimum partial response (PR≥50% M-protein reduction) for ≥6 months. Result: At the time of retreatment, the median patient age was 57.24 years (37-72), and the male/female ratio was 38/32. The bortezomib-containing regimens included lenalidomide and dexamethasone (BRD); cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone, and thalidomide (BCTD); and vindesine, epirubicin, dexamethasone, and thalidomide (BVADT). The overall response rate to bortezomib retreatment was 64.3%. Of the patients who underwent retreatment, 2 (2.85%) had a complete response (CR), 10 (14.3%) had a very good partial response (VGPR) and 33 (47.1%) had a partial response to the therapy. The treatment-free interval after retreatment was 7.8 months. The main adverse drug reactions included weakness, gastrointestinal symptoms, peripheral neuropathy and thrombocytopenia. Most of these effects resolved after the retreatment was completed. Conclusion: Retreatment with bortezomib-based regimens is possible with manageable toxicities. This analysis suggests that retreatment with bortezomib is a feasible treatment option for relapsed MM.

Key Words: multiple myeloma  bortezomib  retreatment