Bortezomib a safe treatment for patients with multiple myeloma and cystic fibrosis.
BACKGROUND
Bortezomib is a proteasome inhibitor that targets myeloma cell and its bone marrow microenvironment. Intravenous Bortezomib with or without dexamethasone, is effective and well tolerated in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM).


METHODS
We used Bortezomib without corticosteroids, to avoid the risk of lung infection reactivations due to patient's Pseudomonas aeruginosa colonization, in a MM patient with Cystic Fibrosis. Four 21-day cycles of Bortezomib were administrated at 1.3 mg/m(2) on days 1,4,8 and 11 with a 10 day rest period. Treatment response and toxicity were evaluated.


RESULTS
After four cycles of therapy the patient achieved a very good partial response (VGPR) according to the IMWG response criteria, without clinically significant side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Bortezomib can be successfully utilized for the management of this difficult disease situation.
Hematology, "Sapienza" University of Rome. Via Benevento 6, 00161 Rome (Italy).
Fabiana
F
Gentilini
Anna
A
Levi
Vincenzo
V
Federico
Eleonora
E
Russo
Robin
R
Foà
Maria Teresa
MT
Petrucci