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First-Line Thalidomide Therapy Effective in Preparation for Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Young Patients With Symptomatic Multiple Myeloma: Presented at EHA By Danny Kucharsky STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN -- June 6, 2005 -- First-line thalidomide-dexamethasone therapy is effective and relatively well tolerated in younger patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma, according to research presented at the 10th Congress of the European Hematology Association (EHA). "The efficacy of this treatment, its ease of use and its high tolerance," are what set the first-line thalidomide-dexamethasone therapy apart, said researcher Abderrahman Abdelkefi, MD, physician at the Centre National de Greffe de Moelle, in Tunis, Tunisia. The aim of the study, presented June 3rd, was to assess the efficacy and toxicity of combination therapy with thalidomide and dexamethasone in the treatment of symptomatic patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma. The study comes on the heels of findings showing a remarkable efficacy in advanced and refractory multiple myeloma, a rate of 30% with thalidomide alone and of 50% when dexamethasone was added to the regimen. The researches randomised 65 patients who were younger than 61 years and had previously untreated symptomatic multiple myeloma. Patients received thalidomide 200 mg/day for 75 days or thalidomide plus dexamethasone for 3 months. The monthly dose of dexamethasone was 20 mg/m2/daily for 4 days with cycles repeated on days 9 to 12 and 17 to 20 on the first and third months of therapy. In the intent-to-treat analysis, the overall response rate was 84%, including 24% of patients who achieved complete remission. Three patients (4.6%) had disease progression during treatment and 1 died. Six patients (9.2%) had to discontinue thalidomide due of toxicity. Grade 1/2 toxicity included constipation (20%) and neuropathy (10%), while grade 3/4 toxicity included infections (12%) and deep vein thrombosis (6%). The study backs up similar recent research findings in Italy and the United States, Dr. Abdelkefi said. As well, he noted the combination of thalidomide and dexamethasone may provide an oral alternative to vincristine-doxorubicin-dexamethasone. [Presentation title: First-Line Thalidomide Therapy in Preparation for Autologous Stem Cell Transplantation in Young Patients With Symptomatic Multiple Myeloma. Abstract 0235] E-mail this page to a friend or colleague! To print, use this version