title: [Bortezomib in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate the efficacy and toxicity of bortezomib in combination with dexamethasone for the treatment of patients with relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma(MM).
  
  
  METHODS
  Sixteen patients(9 males, 7 females, mean age 57. 5 yrs) with refractory or relapsed MM were treated with bortezomib (1. 3 mg/m(2) ) by intravenous bolus twice a week for 2 weeks, or 3. 5 mg once a week in a 21-day cycle, followed by an intravenous injection of dexamethasone 30 - 40 mg. The patients had received one to four courses at least. Response to bortezomib was evaluated according to the criteria of the European Group for Blood and Marrow Transplantation (EBMT) before initiation of each bortezomib chemotherapy course. Adverse events were graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria, version 3. 0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The median follow-up duration from the beginning of bortezomib treatment was 6 months. Clinical response was observed in 14 patients (87.5%), including near complete response in 6, partial response in 5, minimal response in 3 and no response in 2. The most common adverse events were gastrointestinal symptoms (nausea and vomiting in 12, constipation in 3, severe diarrhea in 3 patients), thrombocytopenia (8 patients) and fatigue(3 patients). The adverse events were subsided on routine supportive care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Bortezomib in combination with dexamethasone is an effective therapy with a high response rate and manageable toxicities for patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma.
authors.affiliation: Department of Hematology, Changzheng Hospital, the Second Military Medical University, Shanghai 200003, China.
authors.forename: Zhen-gang
authors.initials: ZG
authors.lastname: Yuan
authors.forename: Jian
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Hou
authors.forename: Fan
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Zhou
authors.forename: Wei-jun
authors.initials: WJ
authors.lastname: Fu
authors.forename: Yu-bao
authors.initials: YB
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: Hao
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Xi
authors.forename: Sheng-ling
authors.initials: SL
authors.lastname: Yang
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000069286:Bortezomib; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012008:Recurrence
chemical_list: D001897:Boronic Acids; D011719:Pyrazines; D000069286:Bortezomib; D003907:Dexamethasone