Subcutaneous bortezomib-containing regimens as up-front treatment of newly diagnosed transplant-eligible multiple myeloma patients: a retrospective, non-interventional observational study

Abstract

Subcutaneous (SC) bortezomib-based regimens represent the standard induction therapy prior to autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients. Published data are based principally on intravenous (IV) administration: this retrospective observational study aimed to define patients’ outcomes upon SC bortezomib administration, before and after ASCT. Of 131 enrolled patients, 86% received bortezomib-dexamethasone plus thalidomide (VTD), 5% plus cyclophosphamide (VCD), and 9% alone (VD), for a median of 4 cycles induction therapy, followed by single (52%) or double (48%) ASCT. 48 patients received consolidation with the same induction regimen. 35% had at least one adverse event, mainly gastrointestinal disorders and peripheral neuropathy (PN). ORR was 93.1%, 97.7% and 100%, after induction, ASCT(s) and consolidation, respectively. Median PFS and PFS2 were 55.8 months and 72 months, respectively, (median follow-up 45.3 months), while median OS was unreached. Concluding, SC bortezomib has similar efficacy with reduced PN than IV administration.

Keywords:

• Subcutaneous bortezomib
• multiple myeloma
• autologous transplantation
• peripheral neuropathy

Disclosure statement

MC has received honoraria from Janssen, Celgene, Amgen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Takeda, AbbVie, Sanofi, Adaptive Biotechnologies, and is a member of Janssen’s and Celgene’s Speaker’s Bureau; ER has received Advisory Board from Celgene; MTP has received honoraria and Advisory Board form Celgene, Janssen-Cilag, BMS, Takeda, Amgen and Sanofi; MDA has received Advisory Board for GSK; AG received honoraria from Janssen, Amgen, Celgene, Takeda; PTa has received honoraria from Janssen, Celgene, Bristol Myers Squibb, Amgen, Takeda, AbbVie and Oncopeptides. LP has received honoraria from Celgene, Janssen, Takeda, Amgen; KM has received honoraria from Celgene, Takeda, Amgen and Janssen; EZ has received honoraria from Janssen, Bristol-Myers Squibb, Amgen, Takeda.

IR, LD, VDS, EA, PT, SM, MC, SB, SR, GDC, AF declare no potential conflicts of interest.