Qian W, Wang L, Li P, et al. - Researchers compared an arsenic trioxide/bortezomib/ascorbic acid/dexamethasone (ABCD) regimen vs a bortezomib/dexamethasone (BD) regimen, in terms of efficacy and tolerability among patients with newly diagnosed myeloma. They treated 57 patients with the ABCD regimen and 64 patients with the BD regimen. Autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation followed by consolidation was received by eligible and agreeable patients. In the ABCD- and BD-treated groups, the response rates (above VGPR) were estimated to be 74.1% and 32.8%, respectively. A significant improvement in PFS and OS was achieved with ABCD regimen vs BD regimen among newly diagnosed patients. A benefit was particularly suggested for patients exhibiting a high tumor burden, low or standard risk, and without auto-HSCT vs the same group with BD regimen. A good prognostic factor for ABCD-related OS and PFS was a complete response or near CR following induction therapy. Findings revealed the effectiveness as well as the tolerability of ABCD vs BD regimen in newly diagnosed myeloma patients. Among low- and standard-risk patients, the ABCD regimen could afford an economical, effective, and tolerable option.