Vol 2, No 2 (2011)
Review paper
Published online: 2011-07-15
Therapy of relapsed and refractory plasma cell myeloma
Hematologia 2011;2(2):116-130.
Abstract
Introduction of novel active drugs including immunomodulatory agents and proteasome inhibitors
to the therapy of plasma cell myeloma (PCM) significantly improved frequency and
depth of clinical responses, and, most importantly, prolonged PCM patients’ survival. However,
despite the important therapeutic advances, PCM remains a relapsing and incurable
tumor. The aim of this paper was to discuss factors that influence the choice of optimal
treatment strategy in relapsed or/and refractory PCM (r/rPCM). Moreover, the treatment
options for r/rPCM were characterized with major attention paid to chemotherapy regimens
based on thalidomide, lenalidomide, bortezomib or bendamustine. Furthermore, early-phase
clinical trial results of newest promising drugs with potential to further improve prognosis of
r/rPCM were briefly reviewed.
Hematologia 2011; 2, 2: 116–130
Hematologia 2011; 2, 2: 116–130
Keywords: plasma cell myelomarefractorinessrelapsethalidomidelenalidomidebortezomib