Serum free light chain changes offer a more accurate assessment of response to therapy than urine Bence Jones protein excretion measurements in multiple myeloma

Abstract

e136 (7%) only once a week, and 33 patients (24%) received bortezomib twice a week followed by weekly administration. 37 patients received other schemes. After a median number of 4 cycles (range: 1-12), the overall response rate was of 61%, including 27% of complete response rate, 13% very good partial response and 21% partial response. The median progression free survival was of 22 months. Median overall survival has not been reached and 75% of the patients remained alive at 3 years. 37 patients required starting a second line of therapy and the median time to next therapy was 31 months (29-37). The median treatment-free interval was 16 months. Median bortezomib cumulative dose in the whole series of patients was 39.7 mg/m2. Patients who received more than 39.7 mg/m2 of bortezomib cumulative dose experienced a significantly longer overall survival than those who did not achieve 39.7 mg/m2. The group of patients who received VMP schemes including bortezomib twice a week followed by weekly administration received the highest bortezomib cumulative dose. As far as safety profile is concerned, regarding VMP given with bortezomib sc, it seemed to offer an improved safety profile. Peripheral neuropathy existed at any grade in 59 patients (44%), of which grade 1 are 34 cases (25%), grade 2 are 22 patients (16%) and grade 3 are 3 cases (2%). Conclusion: SC administration of bortezomib in combination with MP in non-transplant eligible newly diagnosed patients resulted in similar efficacy and outcomes as in the VISTA trial, but with a better safety profile.