Thalidomide in the treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the efficacy of therapy with thalidomide, a drug that has antiangiogenic properties, in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma.


METHODS
We studied 16 patients (median age, 64 years) who received thalidomide for relapsed myeloma at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn, between November 1998 and August 1999. Treatment consisted of thalidomide given orally at a dose of 200 mg/d for 2 weeks, then increased by 200 mg/d every 2 weeks, up to a maximal dose of 800 mg/d.


RESULTS
The stage of myeloma at treatment was Durie-Salmon IIIA in 9 patients (56%) and IIIB in 7 (44%). The median time from myeloma diagnosis to initiation of thalidomide therapy was 32 months. In 4 patients (25%) prior stem cell transplantation had failed, and 14 (88%) had received 2 or more prior chemotherapeutic regimens before institution of thalidomide. All patients were evaluable for response. Four (25%) achieved a partial response to therapy, with a greater than 50% reduction in the serum or urine M protein level. Responses lasted 2, 4+, 8, and 10+ months. Major adverse effects included constipation, sedation, rash, and peripheral neuropathy.


CONCLUSIONS
Thalidomide is an active agent in the treatment of patients with advanced myeloma.
Rajkumar
S V
SV
Division of Hematology and Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn 55905, USA.
Fonseca
R
R
Dispenzieri
A
A
Lacy
M Q
MQ
Lust
J A
JA
Witzig
T E
TE
Kyle
R A
RA
Gertz
M A
MA
Greipp
P R
PR
D000284:Administration, Oral; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D064211:Connectin; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D018380:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000145:classification / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D009194:Myeloma Proteins / Q000652:urine; D012008:Recurrence; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D017211:Treatment Failure
D020533:Angiogenesis Inhibitors; D064211:Connectin; D009124:Muscle Proteins; D009194:Myeloma Proteins; C085016:multiple myeloma M-proteins; D013792:Thalidomide