Reducing the intensity of induction therapy for older, newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma does not compromise the efficacy of treatment but it does significantly cut down on the incidence of severe toxicity, according to newly published research.
For decades, standard therapy for these patients has been prednisone and melphalan; recent trials have shown that the addition of either thalidomide or bortezomib (Velcade) to this regimen boosts effectiveness, but adding Velcade has come at a price—higher incidence of adverse events, specifically peripheral neurotoxicity and gastrointestinal toxicity.
The goal of the study then was to maintain regiman efficacy while reducing toxicity, and they achieved this, reducing neurotoxicity incidence by over half and gastrointestinal toxicity incidence by almost 80% with a reduced-intensity regimen of Velcade, melphalan and prednisone coupled with maintenance therapy.
CANCER TYPE(S)
Multiple myeloma
TREATMENT TYPE(S)
Chemotherapy
WHERE WAS THIS RESEARCH PUBLISHED?
The Lancet Oncology
By Ross Bonander
Source
medpagetoday
