[Monoclonal gammopathy of undetermined significance and asymptomatic multiple myelom in the year 2014 ].

Presence of monoclonal immunoglobulin in serum or urine is a relatively common event affecting about 3.2 % of people over 50. Isolated increase of only one type of free light chain, either κ or λ, is detected in 0.

Similar efficacy of thalidomide- and bortezomib-based regimens for first relapse of multiple myeloma.

Many regimens containing novel drugs have been developed for multiple myeloma (MM). It is not yet clear whether some of the novel agents are better than others. In a retrospective study, we have analyzed the outcomes of patients with first relapse of MM treated with thalidomide-based (T) regimens (n=105) or bortezomib-based (B) regimens (n=106).

Long-term outcomes of autologous transplantation in multiple myeloma: significant survival benefit of novel drugs in post-transplantation relapse.

Background: Autologous stem cell transplantation (autoSCT) has an important role in the treatment of patients with symptomatic multiple myeloma (MM). Treatment options for myeloma have expanded in the past decade, and it seems that patients who are treated with novel drugs such as thalidomide and bortezomib for relapse after autoSCT have longer overall survival (OS).

Patients And Methods: Herein, we describe the long-term outcome of a cohort of 185 patients with newly diagnosed MM treated with autoSCT.

Salvage treatment with upfront melphalan 100 mg/m(2) and consolidation with novel drugs for fulminant progression of multiple myeloma.

Patients (pts) with fulminant progression (FPG) of multiple myeloma (MM) after autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) have poor prognosis. Pancytopenia, extramedullary disease, and/or renal impairment are often present, and treatment options are limited. We have retrospectively evaluated 31 pts with FPG of MM after ASCT who were treated upfront salvage therapy with melphalan 100 mg/m(2) (MEL 100) followed by PBSC support and consolidation therapy using regimens containing thalidomide (n = 16) or bortezomib (n = 15).

Varicella-zoster virus prophylaxis with low-dose acyclovir in patients with multiple myeloma treated with bortezomib.

Background: Varicella-zoster virus (VZV) reactivation is a common complication in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) treated with bortezomib, with an incidence rate of 10%-60%. The aim of our study was to analyze the effect of acyclovir prophylaxis in this patient population.

Patients And Methods: We studied 98 consecutive patients with relapsed MM treated with bortezomib.

Skin lesions induced by bortezomib.

We report on six cases of skin lesions induced by bortezomib in patients treated for relapsed multiple myeloma. The folliculitis-like rash appeared in the second cycle of bortezomib therapy. Therapy with prednisone led to rapid resolution of the skin lesions.