title: Lenalidomide and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin-based chemotherapy for relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma: safety and efficacy.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Lenalidomide is active and well tolerated in relapsed and refractory multiple myeloma. We conducted a phase I/II trial of the combination of lenalidomide and chemotherapy to evaluate the safety and efficacy of the combination.
  
  
  METHODS
  The 62 patients enrolled received liposomal doxorubicin 40 mg/m(2) i.v. and vincristine 2 mg i.v. on day 1, dexamethasone 40 mg p.o. on days 1-4 (DVd), and lenalidomide on days 1-21 in 28-day cycles. Primary end points were maximum tolerated dose (MTD) of lenalidomide with DVd chemotherapy and overall response rate (ORR) by Southwest Oncology Group criteria of the combination.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median age was 62 years, 70% of patients were males and 65% had refractory multiple myeloma. The MTD of lenalidomide with DVd chemotherapy was 10 mg and the dose-limiting toxicity was non-neutropenic sepsis. After 7.5 months of median follow-up, the ORR of the combination was 75%, with 29% of patients achieving a complete or near complete remission. The median progression-free survival was 12 months, while the median overall survival has not yet been reached.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The combination of lenalidomide and DVd chemotherapy was well tolerated and resulted in high response rates in this mostly refractory patient population. Evaluation of this combination in newly diagnosed patients is warranted.
authors.affiliation: Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center Myeloma Research Program, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, USA.
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Baz
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Walker
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Karam
authors.forename: T K
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Choueiri
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Jawde
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bruening
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Reed
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Faiman
authors.forename: Y
authors.initials: Y
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: C
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Brand
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Srkalovic
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Andresen
authors.forename: R
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Knight
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Zeldis
authors.forename: M A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Hussein
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D004317:Doxorubicin / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077269:Lenalidomide; D008297:Male; D020714:Maximum Tolerated Dose; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012008:Recurrence; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use
chemical_list: C506643:liposomal doxorubicin; D011092:Polyethylene Glycols; D013792:Thalidomide; D004317:Doxorubicin; D000077269:Lenalidomide