title: Doxorubicin and dexamethasone followed by thalidomide and dexamethasone is an effective well tolerated initial therapy for multiple myeloma.
abstract: Among the drug combinations designed for the initial treatment of multiple myeloma, none has been unequivocally shown to be superior. However, a regimen leading to a high response rate and a low incidence of adverse events is highly desirable. We report the results of a phase II clinical trial involving 45 patients with Durie-Salmon stage II and III multiple myeloma. Doxorubicin and dexamethasone were given for 2 or 3 months followed by thalidomide and dexamethasone for 2 months (AD-TD regimen) with prophylactic antibiotics and daily aspirin (81 mg/d). Among the 42 patients whose response could be assessed, 38 responded to therapy (90.5%). The intent-to-treat response rate was 84.4% with seven complete responses (CR 15.5%), nine near complete responses (nCR 20.0%), and 22 partial responses (PR 48.9%). Two patients had stable disease (4.4%), and two progression of disease (4.4%). Normalization of the free light chain ratio after one or two cycles of treatment was highly predictive of achievement of CR or nCR. Patients tolerated the treatment well although five patients developed thromboembolic complications (11%). AD-TD administered with low dose aspirin for deep vein thrombosis prophylaxis was well tolerated and yielded a high response rate with minimal treatment-related morbidity.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematologic Oncology, Department of Medicine, Hematology Service, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY 10021, USA. hassounh@mskcc.org
authors.forename: Hani
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Hassoun
authors.forename: Lilian
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Reich
authors.forename: Virginia M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Klimek
authors.forename: Madhav
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Dhodapkar
authors.forename: Adam
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Cohen
authors.forename: Tarun
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Kewalramani
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Zimman
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Drake
authors.forename: Elyn R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Riedel
authors.forename: Cyrus V
authors.initials: CV
authors.lastname: Hedvat
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Teruya-Feldstein
authors.forename: Daniel A
authors.initials: DA
authors.lastname: Filippa
authors.forename: Martin
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Fleisher
authors.forename: Stephen D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Nimer
authors.forename: Raymond L
authors.initials: RL
authors.lastname: Comenzo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D019650:Hematopoietic Stem Cell Mobilization; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013792:Thalidomide; D003907:Dexamethasone; D004317:Doxorubicin