Efficacy comparison between standard and reduced doses of bortezomib combination therapy in the treatment of multiple myeloma

Objective To compare the efficacy and safety of standard or reduced doses of bortezomib combined with adriamycin and dexamethasone in patients with multiple myeloma (MM).Methods Fifty-two newly diagnosed,refractory and relapsed patients received bortezomib [1.3 mg/m2 (standard dose group,26 patients) or 1.0-1.1 mg/m2 (reduced dose group,26 patients) on day 1st,4th,8th and 11 th],and adriamycin (10 mg/m2) plus dexamethasone (40 mg/d) on day 1 st-4th,and were treated for 1-6 courses.Adverse events were graded and compared.Results After treatment,the overall response rate of standard dose group [80.8％(21/26)] and reduced dose group [88.5％(23/26)] had no significant difference (P =0.739).The rate of neutropenia and thrombocytopenia in two groups had no significant difference[23.1％(6/26) vs.15.4％(4/26),P=0.281 ; 11.5％(3/26) vs.7.7％(2/26),P=0.620].The rate of Ⅲ-Ⅳ grade peripheral nerve disease,herpes zoster,lack of power and abdominal distension in standard dose group were significantly higher than those in reduced dose group [15.4％(4/26) vs.3.8％(1/26),P =0.038;26.9％(7/26) vs.7.7％(2/26),P =0.029;38.5％(10/26) vs.15.4％(4/26),P=0.045; 19.2％(5/26)vs.3.8％ (1/26),P =0.028].Conclusion Reduced dose of bortezomib appears to result in similar overall response rate,but better tolerance and safety compared with standard dose. Key words: Medication systems;  Multiple myeloma;  Bortezomib