title: Bortezomib: an effective agent in extramedullary disease in multiple myeloma.
abstract: Bortezomib is a potent and selective proteasome inhibitor recently introduced in the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM). This drug produces significant responses in about one-third of patients with relapsed/refractory disease. We first recognized the lack of efficacy of thalidomide in soft-tissue plasmacytomas. There is little information on the effect of bortezomib on extramedullary myeloma. Four of 23 patients treated with bortezomib at our institution had extramedullary involvement at the time of relapse. In three of these patients large soft-tissue plasmacytomas disappeared. This indicates that bortezomib may be useful in clinical situations of extramedullary disease in which other agents, such as thalidomide, may not be effective.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Hematology and Oncology, Hematology Department, IDIBAPS Hospital Clínic, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.
authors.forename: Rosiñol
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Laura
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Cibeira
authors.forename: Carla
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Uriburu
authors.forename: Sebastián
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Yantorno
authors.forename: Olga
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Salamero
authors.forename: Joan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bladé
authors.forename: Emili
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Montserrat
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069286:Bortezomib; D018450:Disease Progression; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011480:Protease Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001897:Boronic Acids; D011480:Protease Inhibitors; D011719:Pyrazines; D000069286:Bortezomib