Zeng ZH, et al. – For transplant–eligible patients with untreated multiple myeloma, experts compared the early efficacy and survivals of induction regimens. In terms of overall response rate (ORR), overall survival (OS), and progression–free survival (PFS), the effectiveness of VTD, VTD plus cyclophosphamide (VTDC), and thalidomide plus doxorubicin plus dexamethasone (TAD) regimens was portrayed by network meta–analysis (NMA) for these patients.

Methods

• For relevant randomized controlled trials (RCTs), a comprehensive literature search in electronic databases was conducted.
• Before these studies were evaluated for methodological quality, based on the predefined selection criteria, eligible studies were selected.
• From included trials, basic characteristics and data for network meta-analysis (NMA) were extracted and pooled in the meta-analysis.
• Overall response rate (ORR), progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) were the end points of the study.

Results

• Analysis was done for a total of 14 RCTs that included 4,763 patients.
• The post-induction ORR was higher with bortezomib plus thalidomide plus dexamethasone (VTD) regimens.
• Results found VTD better than the majority of other regimens.
• VTDC regimens showed potential superiority over other regimens, for OS.
• However, the difference was not statistically significant.
• For transplant-eligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM), the PFS was longer with TAD regimens.