Clinical characteristics of velcade cumulative effect in resistant and recurrent multiple myeloma

Aim. To assess efficacy of velcade monotherapy in patients with resistent and recurrent multiple myeloma (MM). Material and methods. Velcade was given to 29 patients (11 males and 18 females at the age 41-73 years) with resistant and recurrent MM of stage 3. A standard scheme was used - 1.3 mg/m2 iv jet on day 1, 4, 8 and 11. The cycle was 21 days, a total of 6 cycles. All the patients were examined immunochemically for serum and urine Pig. An antitumor effect was studied. Results. After, on the average, 3 courses of velcade therapy Pig reduction was 31.3%. The response was complete (CR) in 3.4%, partial (PR) in 44.6%, minor response (MR) in 17% and no response (NR) in 35% patients. After 6 cycles of velcade monotherapy given to 23 patients Pig reduction was 59%. CR, PR, MR, NR were seen in 2 (8.7%), 11 (47.8%), 4 (17.4%), 6 (26.1%) patients, respectively. Progression occurred in 8.7%. After 3 cycles of velcade therapy in 29 patients an objective response occurred in 48%, after 6 cycles it increased to 56.5%. The group with poor respose (MR+NR) reduced from 52 (after 3 cycles) to 43.5% (after 6 cycles) patients. Cumulative toxicity of velcade 10 days after the end of cycles 3 and 6 was absent.