At this year's American Society of Hematology (ASH) meeting, scientists presented on Sunday new results that indicate a promising four-drug regimen in patients with newly-diagnosed multiple myeloma. The four-drug cocktail consisted of Velcade (bortezomib), cyclophosphamide, dexamethasone, and thalidomide (Thalomid). Following six cycles of treatment, the patients proceeded to stem cell harvest, transplant, and/or maintenance therapy.

The response rate was tested by determining the decrease of monoclonal protein in the patients’ serum and/or urine. Scientists defined a response to the treatment as a 50 percent or greater decrease in monoclonal protein.

On Sunday scientists presented results based on their first 30 patients. The overall response rate was 90 percent. Overall, 60 percent of the patients achieved a complete response or a very good partial response, 30 percent achieved a partial response, and the remaining 10 percent either had a stable disease or could not be evaluated. This data is very encouraging, as it improves upon a two-drug regimen of bortezomib and dexamethasone (90 percent partial response and 38 percent very good partial response).

The four-drug regimen has been successful in other types of cancer, most notably non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, which employs a standard CHOP regimen (cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine and prednisolone). Although additional studies on this treatment are necessary, the preliminary results are very promising for newly-diagnosed myeloma patients.

For more information, see Abstract 94 at the ASH Meeting.