In a nutshell
This study investigated the effectiveness and safety of combining vorinostat (Zolinza) with bortezomib (Velcade) and dexamethasone (Decadron) in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM). The data showed that the treatment combination had promising effectiveness but with side effects.
Some background
Multiple myeloma (MM) is a type of cancer that comes from blood cells called plasma cells. A high number of patients with MM experience relapse (the tumor grows after treatment) or are refractory (not responsive to the treatment) to standard treatment. One standard treatment combination for relapsed/refractory (r/r) MM is bortezomib in combination with dexamethasone (Vd). However, many patients still experience relapse after this treatment.
Adding new anti-cancer agents to this regimen may help improve patient outcomes. One such agent is vorinostat (Vo). Vorinostat interferes with important proteins called histone deacetylases. Blocking the activity of these proteins leads to cancer cell death. However, there are few studies investigating the effectiveness and safety of the combination of all 3 drugs (VoVd) in patients with relapsed MM.
Methods & findings
This study involved 16 patients with relapsed MM. All patients received a combination regimen of vorinostat with bortezomib and dexamethasone (VoVd). After 3 cycles of VoVd, patients received vorinostat maintenance therapy. The average follow-up period was 9 months.
The overall response rate (ORR; the partial or complete disappearance of the cancer) was 81.3%. The clinical benefit response rate was 100%. Clinical benefit includes tumor response or lack of cancer progression (stable disease). The average survival without any progression of disease was 11.9 months.
75% of patients experienced a dose reduction or stopped treatment because of intolerable side effects. The most common side effects were low platelet counts, diarrhea, fatigue, and anemia.
The bottom line
This study concluded that the combination of vorinostat with bortezomib and dexamethasone was effective, but with side effects in patients with relapsed MM.
The fine print
The sample size and follow-up time were very short. Tolerable combinations of the 3 drugs will require future investigation.
Published By :
Clinical lymphoma, myeloma & leukemia
Date :
Mar 01, 2021
