[Lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone therapy for Japanese patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma: updated results of the MM-025 study].

In a Japanese phase II study (MM-025), the efficacy and safety of lenalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone (Rd) were confirmed at a median follow-up of 14.2 months in patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma who were ineligible for hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. In the present report, we analyzed the follow-up data from the abovementioned study.

Final analysis of survival outcomes in the phase 3 FIRST trial of up-front treatment for multiple myeloma.

This FIRST trial final analysis examined survival outcomes in patients with transplant-ineligible newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) treated with lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone until disease progression (Rd continuous), Rd for 72 weeks (18 cycles; Rd18), or melphalan, prednisone, and thalidomide (MPT; 72 weeks). The primary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS; primary comparison: Rd continuous vs MPT). Overall survival (OS) was a key secondary endpoint (final analysis prespecified ≥60 months' follow-up).

Long-term health-related quality of life in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma receiving lenalidomide and dexamethasone.

The FIRST trial demonstrated that continuous therapy with lenalidomide and dexamethasone (Rd) prolongs overall survival (OS) and improves health-related quality of life (HRQoL) during the first 18 months of therapy in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) patients. However, patient-reported HRQoL data were not collected after 18 months. We therefore estimated HRQoL scores based on time-varying data collected during progression-free follow-up after 18 months.

Benefit of continuous treatment for responders with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in the randomized FIRST trial.

The phase 3, randomized Frontline Investigation of Revlimid and Dexamethasone Versus Standard Thalidomide (FIRST) trial investigating lenalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone until disease progression (Rd continuous) vs melphalan, prednisone and thalidomide for 12 cycles (MPT) and Rd for 18 cycles (Rd18) in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM) showed that Rd continuous prolonged progression-free survival and overall survival compared with MPT. A subanalysis of the FIRST trial was conducted to determine the benefits of Rd continuous in patients with NDMM based on depth of response. Patients randomized 1:1:1 to Rd continuous, Rd18 or MPT were divided into subgroups based on best response: complete response (CR; n=290), ⩾very good partial response (VGPR; n=679), ⩾partial response (PR; n=1 225) or ⩽stable disease (n=299).

Continuous treatment with lenalidomide and low-dose dexamethasone in transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma in Asia: subanalysis of the FIRST trial.

The phase 3 FIRST (Frontline Investigation of REVLIMID + Dexamethasone Versus Standard Thalidomide) trial demonstrated that lenalidomide plus low-dose dexamethasone (Rd) until disease progression (Rd continuous) is an effective treatment option for transplant-ineligible patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (NDMM). Given genetic differences between Asian and Western populations, this subanalysis of the FIRST trial examined the safety and efficacy of Rd (given continuously or for 18 cycles [Rd18]) and MPT (melphalan, prednisone, thalidomide) in 114 Asian patients from Mainland China, South Korea and Taiwan. Efficacy and safety with Rd continuous in Asian patients were consistent with those in the overall study population.