[Dan D]

Long term drug-free disease control in non-ASCT patients

by Dan D on Fri Nov 29, 2013 11:15 pm

The abstract below describes the retrospective analysis of a subgroup of patients who went drug free after LenDex induction. Perhaps most notably, it looks like subjects had a median PFS of FOUR YEARS after discontinuing drugs PROVIDED THAT they:

(1) were on LenDex for at least one year; and
(2) achieved at least a VGPR.

And all those who relapsed responded again to LenDex - which I think is highly significant.

Now the abstract does not provide further details about these patients. Likely most are standard risk -- else I suspect they would have received an upfront ASCT. But this underscores a possible low-toxicity approach for at least some patients that want to take a long term strategy. I wish such paths were clearer, because I have no doubt that some can lead to a cure. Just don't know which ones yet.

http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/m/pubmed/24265187/

[Multibilly]

Re: Long term drug-free disease control in non-ASCT patients

by Multibilly on Sat Dec 07, 2013 7:56 pm

You can find the entire paper here:

https://myelomabeacon.org/resources/mtgs/ash2013/abs/3209/

I find the wording and conclusions in this paper to be confusing.

[Dcorban]

Re: Long term drug-free disease control in non-ASCT patients

by Dcorban on Fri Dec 13, 2013 11:48 pm

I find this very interesting. I was treated with RVD at diagnosis, declined the SCT, took Rev for close to a year but developed a DVT so discontinued all drugs. So I have been drug free since March 2011. Numbers are beginning to rise, but unsure if I will go on to SCT if RVD works as well again.

Anybody that has relapsed after these same therapies have any suggestions, or could share your experience ?

Post said Len which is the same as Revlimid correct?

[Waldopepper]

Re: Long term drug-free disease control in non-ASCT patients

by Waldopepper on Sat Dec 14, 2013 12:08 pm

Just finished my second month of Len / Dex so for me this is an encouraging study. I recently started experiencing the fatigue, dry mouth, side effects. would these side effects increase say over a years time? The SCT quite honestly scares the $&@? Out of me and it seems everyone ends up back on some drugs. My hope is to avoid the SCT but guess the decision will be made by the disease.

[JoeBlowHard]

Re: Long term drug-free disease control in non-ASCT patients

by JoeBlowHard on Sun Dec 15, 2013 8:24 pm

ASCTs are overhyped, barbaric, toxic, misrepresnted procedures that should be banned IMHO with two exceptions:

(1) for high risk patients that they appear to be a necessary component ....so far
(2) allogenic transplants offer the prospect of a cure for 20-25 perecent of eligible pateints

By autologous transplants in this modern era of Revlimid (lenalidomide), Velcade, pomalyst,kyprolis, dex, and other agents. Let's again be clear; an autolgous stem cell transplant is the part that saves you from certain death - the therapy itself are mustard gas dervatives with all the specificity of a sledge hammer - they kill all dividing cells - but of course not all; those they are quiesecent may well escape their action.

[Anonymous]

Re: Long term drug-free disease control in non-ASCT patients

by Anonymous on Mon Dec 16, 2013 12:45 am

Yes, I agree with you about the SCT. The side effects from the Revlimid were tolorable for me but before long the neutrofills starting falling, so watch your ANC on your blood work (absolute neutrofill count). Also developed a DVT so take an aspirin each day and beware of swelling.

Best of luck to you, and I hope the drugs put you into a deep remission.