Abstract
It was shown in 1999 thalidomide could induce a therapeutic response in patients with refractory multiple myeloma. Between March 2000 and January 2002, we treated 21 patients with refractory multiple myeloma with thalidomide (Thalidomide®) at initial dose of 400mg a day. Response rate (Intergroupe Francophone du Myélome criteria) was 33 percent and median progression-free survival estimated to 15 months. All patients suffered from drowsiness and constipation requiring lowest doses. Five patients developed a sensitive neuropathy. Eight refractory patients were treated by a combination of their prior maximally tolerated dose of thalidomide and monthly dexamethasone (Soludécadron®) alone (n=4) or associated to cyclophosphamide (Endoxan®) and étoposide (Etopophos®) (n=4). Six patients on 8 were responders. Our results suggest that the combination thalidomide/dexamethasone should be compared to thalidomide alone in a prospective, randomized study in patients with refractory multiple myeloma.
| Translated title of the contribution | Role of thalidomide with or without dexamethasone for refractory multiple myeloma |
|---|---|
| Original language | French |
| Pages (from-to) | 524-530 |
| Number of pages | 7 |
| Journal | Therapie |
| Volume | 57 |
| Issue number | 6 |
| Publication status | Published - 1 Nov 2002 |
| Externally published | Yes |