Bortezomib as an Alternative in the Treatment of Patients With Malignant Gammopathy

Abstract

ObjectiveTo describe the use of bortezomib in a district hospital as an alternative in the treatment of malignant gammopathy. MethodsA retrospective analysis was carried out on patients treated with bortezomib in our hospital between November 2005 and October 2007. The patients’ medical histories were used to obtain data regarding diagnosis, treatments prior to bortezomib, date of the last disease progression, number of bortezomib courses, response to bortezomib, overall and event free survival, complications, and side effects. ResultsForty-seven percent of the patients studied were male (5/12). The median age was 67, (range, 40-81). The main diagnosis was multiple myeloma on its own or associated with plasmocytoma. Bortezomib initiation coincided with the last disease progression in 83% of patients (10/12). Fifty percent of the patients completed 7-8 courses of bortezomib. Response was seen in 58% of the patients (7/12), partial response in 33% of them (4/12), and complete response in 25% (3/12). The most common adverse reactions were neuropathy and gastrointestinal toxicity which required treatment to be discontinued in 50% of cases. ConclusionsAccording to the results obtained, bortezomib is a good alternative in the treatment of malignant gammopathy, above all in the case of plasmocytomas.