[Dabs]

Velcade, Revlimid, Dexamethasone for Relapsed Patients

by Dabs on Thu Apr 01, 2010 9:54 am

To Mayo Doc:
I am IgA Kappa Lambda with no chrom 13. Was diagnosed 11/03, and ASCT in 6/04. CR until treatment in 6/09 on REV/DEX and after 5 cycles IgA was same at 1700. My Doc then added Velcade and have achieved a complete remission after 2 cycles of VRD. What is the current thinking for VRD protocol? Do i ride the remission or continue to do maintenance therapy? Don't I run the risk of drug resistance?

[Linda]

Re: Velcade, Revlimid, Dexamethasone for Relapsed Patients

by Linda on Thu Apr 01, 2010 4:32 pm

I was at a multiple myeloma conference in San Francisco and a doctor told the group not to worry about using a drug and becoming resistant to it because there are so many drugs in the pipeline. Many doctors seem to think that a reduced dose of Revlimid (10 mg, 15mg) is an excellent maintenance therapy. Good luck to you.

[Beacon Staff]

Re: Velcade, Revlimid, Dexamethasone for Relapsed Patients

by Beacon Staff on Sun Apr 04, 2010 8:59 pm

Dr. Martha Lacy from the Mayo Clinic said:

"I cannot give you specific advice. You should discuss this with your doctor.

The fact that you had a 5 year remission with your first round of treatment makes me optimistic that you will do well now that you are again in CR.

In our group, we advocate maintenance treatment for patients we worry are at high risk for early relapse. Patients who do not have high risk disease, either by molecular markers or by how the disease has behaved in the past, are treated to point of maximal response then watched off therapy.

We, like you, worry that constant exposure will run the risk of drug resistance."