Thalidomide in the treatment of relapsed multiple myeloma

Objective: To describe the efficacy of therapy with thalidomide, a drug tha t has antiangiogenic properties, in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma , Patients and Methods: We studied 16 patients (median age, 64 years) who rec eived thalidomide for relapsed myeloma at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Min n, between November 1998 and August 1999, Treatment consisted of thalidomid e given orally at a dose of 200 mg/d for 2 weeks, then increased by 200 mg/ d every 2 weeks, up to a maximal dose of 800 mg/d, Results: The stage of myeloma at treatment was Durie-Salmon IIIA in 9 patie nts (56%) and IIIB in 7 (44%). The median time from myeloma diagnosis to in itiation of thalidomide therapy was 32 months. In 4 patients (25%) prior st em cell transplantation had failed, and 14 (88%) had received 2 or more pri or chemotherapeutic regimens before institution of thalidomide, All patient s were evaluable for response. Four (25%) achieved a partial response to th erapy, with a greater than 50% reduction in the serum or urine M protein le vel. Responses lasted 2, 4+, 8, and 10+ months. Major adverse effects inclu ded constipation, sedation, rash, and peripheral neuropathy, Conclusion: Thalidomide is an active agent in the treatment of patients wit h advanced myeloma.