Dr. Orlowski on Bortezomib Added to Lenalidomide and Dexamethasone for Multiple Myeloma

Robert Z. Orlowski, MD, PhD, Department Chair ad interim, Department of Lymphoma/Myeloma, Division of Cancer Medicine, professor, Florence Maude Thomas Cancer Research Professorship, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, discusses the phase III SWOG 0777 study, which examined the addition of bortezomib to lenalidomide and dexamethasone versus lenalidomide and dexamethasone alone in patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma.

Orlowski explains that one of the key points of this trial is that cooperative studies within the United States can have an impact on the standard of care. Moreover, although the phase III data for this triplet regimen did not previously exist, a number of practitioners administered the three agents to patients as a de facto standard of care.

In the bortezomib arm, patients received eight 3-week cycles of the three agents. Patients subsequently received lenalidomide-based maintenance therapy, Orlowski adds. The triplet cohort demonstrated a higher overall response rate, progression-free survival, and overall survival than the arm containing lenalidomide and dexamethasone.

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