Terpos E, et al. – The effects of experimental retreatment with subcutaneous bortezomib plus dexamethasone (VD) followed by prolonged bortezomib therapy vs. standard VD retreatment were examined in patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma. Based on the data obtained, there was no significant benefit noted with experimental vs. standard VD retreatment therapy.

Methods

• The clinicians randomized patients (2:1) to receive either experimental (n = 53) or standard (n = 27) retreatment, stratified by the number of prior therapy lines.

Results

• It was reported that the study was terminated prematurely with insufficient enrollment to adequately compare the retreatment therapies.
• In addition, results should be considered descriptive.
• The median progression-free survival (primary endpoint) was 7.2 months (95% confidence interval 5.7–9.0) vs. 7.8 months (4.9–11.7), after a median follow-up of 21.2 and 20.0 months in the experimental and standard arms, respectively.
• For experimental and standard retreatment regimens, the overall response rate was 66% and 52%, respectively.
• The most common and most differentially observed grade ≥3 adverse event (experimental: 9% vs. standard: 22%) was thrombocytopenia.
• They reported any-grade peripheral neuropathies (including peripheral sensory neuropathies) in 23% vs. 37% of patients.