title: Thalidomide and dexamethasone for resistant multiple myeloma.
abstract: Between November 1998 and April 2000, the combination of thalidomide and dexamethasone was evaluated in 47 consecutive patients with multiple myeloma that was resistant to prior high-dose dexamethasone-based therapies. Remission was observed in 22 patients (47%), including six patients with complete remission. Side-effects were frequent, mild and usually reversible, but deep vein thrombosis occurred in 8% of patients. Survival and remission times were longer among patients treated for previous resistant disease rather than for resistant relapse. This experience supports the use of thalidomide-dexamethasone in myeloma patients with resistant disease and justifies further trials in newly diagnosed patients.
authors.affiliation: University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Athanasios
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Anagnostopoulos
authors.forename: Donna
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Weber
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Rankin
authors.forename: Kay
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Delasalle
authors.forename: Raymond
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Alexanian
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D019008:Drug Resistance, Neoplasm; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011379:Prognosis; D012074:Remission Induction; D016019:Survival Analysis; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D013792:Thalidomide; D003907:Dexamethasone