title: Bendamustine in the treatment of multiple myeloma: results and future perspectives.
abstract: Multiple myeloma (MM) is a malignancy of terminally differentiated plasma cells typically occurring in elderly patients. The clinical manifestations of this disease result primarily from the accumulation of monoclonal protein (paraprotein) in the serum and/or urine, anemia, lytic bone lesions, hypercalcemia, renal insufficiency, and immune deficiency. Multiple myeloma is incurable with standard chemotherapy. Melphalan and prednisone has been the mainstay of treatment for MM for about three decades. This regimen results in a clinical response in approximately 60% of patients and a median survival of approximately 36 months. A variety of combination therapies have also been used in MM, but have not been considered to offer a significant benefit compared with standard therapy. In early trials, bendamustine monotherapy was as effective as cyclophosphamide and various combination therapies in achieving remission in MM. This article describes a prospective, randomized, phase III study designed to compare the efficacy of bendamustine/prednisolone with a standard melphalan/prednisolone regimen.
authors.affiliation: East German Study Group for Hematology and Oncology (OSHO), University of Leipzig, Philipp Rosenthalstrasse 23-25, D-4103 Liepzig, Germany.
authors.forename: Wolfram
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Pönisch
authors.forename: Dietger
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Niederwieser
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000069461:Bendamustine Hydrochloride; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D009588:Nitrogen Mustard Compounds / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011239:Prednisolone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012074:Remission Induction; D015996:Survival Rate
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D018906:Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D009588:Nitrogen Mustard Compounds; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D000069461:Bendamustine Hydrochloride; D011239:Prednisolone; D008558:Melphalan; D011241:Prednisone