title: Bortezomib in the front-line treatment of multiple myeloma.
abstract: Front-line therapy for multiple myeloma is rapidly evolving with the development of new, highly active regimens based on novel agents such as bortezomib. Bortezomib-based regimens are demonstrating substantial efficacy both as induction prior to stem cell transplantation and as treatment for patients ineligible for transplant, offering rapid and durable responses with consistently high rates of complete response, a surrogate end point for improved overall survival. Combinations of bortezomib plus established and novel agents, such as melphalan-prednisone, dexamethasone, doxorubicin, thalidomide-dexamethasone and, most recently, lenalidomide-dexamethasone, are proving superior to or more promising than previous standards of care. Importantly, these regimens are demonstrating enhanced activity across the front-line population, including patients with renal impairment, high-risk cytogenetics and advanced bone disease. Impressive Phase 3 results with bortezomib-melphalan-prednisone, bortezomib-dexamethasone and bortezomib-thalidomide-dexamethasone should facilitate the establishment of these highly effective regimens as key therapies for newly diagnosed myeloma.
authors.affiliation: Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 44 Binney Street, Dana 1B02, Boston, MA 02115, USA. paul_richardson@dfci.harvard.edu
authors.forename: Paul G
authors.initials: PG
authors.lastname: Richardson
authors.forename: Constantine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Mitsiades
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Schlossman
authors.forename: Irene
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Ghobrial
authors.forename: Teru
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Hideshima
authors.forename: Nikhil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Munshi
authors.forename: Kenneth C
authors.initials: KC
authors.lastname: Anderson
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D000069286:Bortezomib; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000494:pharmacology / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001897:Boronic Acids; D011719:Pyrazines; D000069286:Bortezomib