title: Role of bortezomib for the treatment of previously untreated multiple myeloma.
abstract: Although multiple myeloma remains an incurable disease, its management has changed recently with the introduction of novel agents, including bortezomib. Several pilot studies and two randomized trials have evaluated the role of bortezomib-based combinations as induction therapy in myeloma patients who are candidates for transplant, showing high efficacy (>80% response rate with 20-30% complete remission), which increased after autologous stem cell transplant. In addition, in patients who are not candidates for transplant, bortezomib in combination with melphalan and prednisone has also been found to be superior to conventional therapy, with high overall and complete response rates; responses were rapid and durable and there was a significant prolongation in time to progression and overall survival. Moreover, bortezomib has broad utility since its efficacy is not influenced by the presence of poor prognostic features, such as high-risk cytogenetic abnormalities, renal impairment or advanced age. These results allow bortezomib-based combination therapy to be established as key options for patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma.
authors.affiliation: Hematology Department, University Hospital of Salamanca, Salamanca, Spain. mvmateos@usal.es
authors.forename: María-Victoria
authors.initials: MV
authors.lastname: Mateos
mesh_terms: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D001897:Boronic Acids / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D000069286:Bortezomib; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D004305:Dose-Response Relationship, Drug; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D006801:Humans; D009101:Multiple Myeloma / Q000188:drug therapy*; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex / Q000378:metabolism; D061988:Proteasome Inhibitors; D011719:Pyrazines / Q000627:therapeutic use* / Q000633:toxicity; D033581:Stem Cell Transplantation; D014182:Transplantation, Autologous
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D001897:Boronic Acids; D061988:Proteasome Inhibitors; D011719:Pyrazines; D000069286:Bortezomib; D046988:Proteasome Endopeptidase Complex