Lenalidomide and high-dose dexamethasone compared with dexamethasone as initial therapy for multiple myeloma: a randomized Southwest Oncology Group trial (S0232).

Publication Type:

Journal Article

Authors:

Zonder, Jeffrey A; Crowley, John; Hussein, Mohamad A; Bolejack, Vanessa; Moore, Dennis F; Whittenberger, Brock F; Abidi, Muneer H; Durie, Brian G M; Barlogie, Bart

Source:

Blood, Volume 116, Issue 26, p.5838-41 (2010)

Keywords:

2010, Adolescent, Adult, Aged, Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols, Center-Authored Paper, Cross-Over Studies, Dexamethasone, Female, Humans, Male, Middle Aged, Multiple Myeloma, Public Health Sciences Division, Remission Induction, Survival Rate, Thalidomide, Treatment Outcome, Young Adult

Abstract:

The Southwest Oncology Group conducted a randomized trial comparing lenalidomide (LEN) plus dexamethasone (DEX; n = 97) to placebo (PLC) plus DEX (n = 95) in newly diagnosed myeloma. Three 35-day induction cycles applied DEX 40 mg/day on days 1 to 4, 9 to 12, and 17 to 20 together with LEN 25 mg/day for 28 days or PLC. Monthly maintenance used DEX 40 mg/day on days 1 to 4 and 15 to 18 along with LEN 25 mg/day for 21 days or PLC. Crossover from PLC-DEX to LEN-DEX was encouraged on progression. One-year progression-free survival, overall response rate, and very good partial response rate were superior with LEN-DEX (78% vs 52%, P = .002; 78% vs 48%, P < .001; 63% vs 16%, P < .001), whereas 1-year overall survival was similar (94% vs 88%; P = .25). Toxicities were more pronounced with LEN-DEX (neutropenia grade 3 or 4: 21% vs 5%, P < .001; thromboembolic events despite aspirin prophylaxis: 23.5% [initial LEN-DEX or crossover] vs 5%; P < .001). This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as #NCT00064038.