A Pilot Study To Explore the Tolerability and Efficacy of Thalidomide Containing Regimens To Reduce Tumour Cell Load Prior to HSC in Multiple Myeloma and the Feasibility of Harvesting HSC Following Thalidomide Containing Regimens.

Abstract

Abstract Aim: To explore the role of thalidomide in pre-transplant induction treatment in multiple myeloma. Patients and methods: Between Sept 2002 and March 2005, 37 patients with advanced, de-novo multiple myeloma (mean age 56 years, mean Serum. albumin 33g/L, and median b -2-microglobulin 4.0mg/L) were entered into a multicentre, phase 2 study of pre transplant induction treatment. The regimen included TDx3 (thalidomide 400mg/d, pulse dexamethasone 32mg TDS x 5d every 3 weeks PO), followed by DT-PACEx2 (thalidomide 400mg/d, dexamethasone 40mg/d x 4 PO and cisplatin 10mg/m2/d, doxorubicin 10mg/m2/d, cyclophosphamide 400mg/m2/day, etoposide 40mg/m2/d as 4 day i..