OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of bortezomib-based chemotherapy for 80 patients with multiple myeloma (MM).

METHODSA total of 80 cases with a median age of 57 (range: 25-78) years were enrolled in the study. Bortezomib-based regimens included VD (bortezomib and dexamethasone) and PAD (bortezomib, doxorubicin and dexamethasone). 16 of the 80 patients received autologous or allo-hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

RESULTSThe overall response (OR) rate was 80%, including a complete response (CR) of 46.3%. After a median follow-up of 25 months, the 1-year and 2-year overall survival (OS) was 81.4% and 72.9%, and the 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) was 76% and 62.5%, respectively. The 2-year OS and PFS were 100% and 73.9 % in patients with HSCT, while both were 66% (P=0.029) and 58.7% (P=0.447) in patients without HSCT. In univariate analysis, Durie-Salmon group, ISS stage, CR and very good partial response (VGPR), and HSCT were prognostic factors for OS. Gender and extramedullary plasmacytomas were important prognostic factors for PFS. Multivariate analysis by Cox regression revealed that CR and VGPR, Durie-Salmon group A, and HSCT were prognostic factors for better OS; while male and patients without extramedullary plasmacytomas were prognostic factors for longer PFS.

CONCLUSIONMM patients could benefit from bortezomib-based chemotherapy with satisfactory efficacy and safety. HSCT could improve the OS for young MM patients.