title: Lenalidomide plus dexamethasone vs. lenalidomide plus melphalan and prednisone: a retrospective study in newly diagnosed elderly myeloma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The goal of this retrospective study was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of lenalidomide-dexamethasone (len/dex) vs. melphalan-prednisone-lenalidomide (MPR) as upfront therapy for newly diagnosed elderly patients with myeloma.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 51 patients enrolled in an Italian phase I/II trial and treated with MPR were analyzed and compared with data from 38 patients, seen at the Mayo Clinic, treated with len/dex and enrolled in phase II/III trials.
  
  
  RESULTS
  On intention-to-treat analysis, time to progression (median: 24.7 vs. 27.5 months in MPR and len/dex groups, respectively, P = 0.903), progression-free survival (median: 24.7 vs. 27.5 months in MPR and len/dex groups, respectively, P = 0.926), and overall survival (2-yr overall survival: 86.2% in MPR vs. 89.1% in len/dex, P = 0.730) were not significantly different between the two groups. Results were confirmed when the analysis was restricted to MPR and len/dex matched pair mates. Hematologic grade 3-4 toxicities were more common with MPR (neutropenia: 66.7% vs. 21.1%, P < 0.001; thrombocytopenia: 31.4% vs. 2.6%, P < 0.001). Grade 3-4 gastrointestinal events (13.2% vs. 3.9%, P = 0.132), thrombotic events (13.2% vs. 5.9%, P = 0.279), and fatigue (10.5% vs. 3.9%, P = 0.395) were more common with len/dex.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Results show that both MPR and len/dex are efficacious regimens for elderly patients with myeloma. Randomized trials are needed to confirm these results.
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic College of Medicine, Rochester, MN, USA.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Gay
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Vincent Rajkumar
authors.forename: Patrizia
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Falco
authors.forename: Shaji
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kumar
authors.forename: Angela
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Dispenzieri
authors.forename: Maria Teresa
authors.initials: MT
authors.lastname: Petrucci
authors.forename: Morie A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Gertz
authors.forename: Mario
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Boccadoro
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Keith Stewart
authors.forename: Antonio
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Palumbo
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003907:Dexamethasone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D000077269:Lenalidomide; D008297:Male; D008558:Melphalan / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D013792:Thalidomide / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000031:analogs & derivatives* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D013792:Thalidomide; D003907:Dexamethasone; D000077269:Lenalidomide; D008558:Melphalan; D011241:Prednisone