[Effects of bortezomib combined with methylprednisolone in treatment of 33 cases of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma].

The aim of this study was to explore the clinical effect and toxicity of bortezomib combined with methylprednisolone in treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma (MM). Clinical data of 33 patients (23 male, 10 female; aged from 38 to 85 years old) were analyzed retrospectively. The median diagnosis time was 25 (2 - 120) months. 33 patients received bortezomib (0.9 - 1.1) mg/m(2) on days 1, 4, 8, 11, in combination with methylprednisolone 40 mg/d (4 cases), 80mg/d (13 cases), 120 mg/d (2 cases), 200 mg/d (9 cases), 300 mg/d (5 cases) respectively. The median follow-up time was 10(3-60) months. The used therapy courses were 1 - 8 (mean 4 courses). The results indicated that 24 cases showed the response of different degree, the overall response rate (ORR) was 72.7% (24/33). 32 patients received ≥ 2 therapy courses, and ORR was 71.9% (23/32). 16 patients received 4 therapy courses, and ORR was 93.8% (15/16 cases). 7 patients received 6 therapy courses and the ORR was 100% (7/7 cases). Main side-effects were thrombocytopenia, infection and peripheral neuropathy. The median survival time was 41.5 (2 - 120) months and the 2-year, 3-year and 5-year overall survival rate were 80%, 59.1% and 21.1%, respectively. It is concluded that bortezomib combined with methylprednisolone is an effective therapy with higher response rate, and safe in treatment of relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma.