Intermediate dose thalidomide (200 mg daily) has comparable efficacy and less toxicity than higher doses in relapsed multiple myeloma

Leuk Lymphoma. 2003 Jul;44(7):1147-9. doi: 10.1080/1042819031000067918.

Abstract

Thalidomide at doses >200 mg has 100% grade 1-2 and 25% grade 3-4 toxicities requiring discontinuation. We report a retrospective study of relapsed myeloma patients treated with thalidomide 200 mg with no dose escalation. Thirty patients were identified; 43% of patients responded with paraprotein decline >75% -- 2 (6%), 50-75% -- 7 (23%), 25-50% -- 4 (14%) and 2 (6%) were stable. All five patients with 13q deletion responded. Only 54% reported grade 1-2 toxicities (none reporting > grade 2) with 5 (17%) discontinuing treatment due to toxicity. Thalidomide 200 mg daily with no dose escalation appears as effective and better tolerated than escalated doses for relapsed myeloma patients.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / administration & dosage*
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / adverse effects
  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors / therapeutic use
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy*
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Salvage Therapy
  • Thalidomide / administration & dosage*
  • Thalidomide / adverse effects
  • Thalidomide / therapeutic use
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Angiogenesis Inhibitors
  • Thalidomide