Bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone versus thalidomide and dexamethasone for response rates in multiple myeloma patients: a retrospective study

Introduction:The most current treatment of multiple myeloma is based on a combination of drugs, including immunomodulators and proteasome inhibitors.The bortezomib, thalidomide, and dexamethasone (VTD) and thalidomide and dexamethasone (TD) regimens are commonly used as a first-line treatment due to limited resources.Objective: To compare the proportion of favorable responses, survival, and time to the next treatment between two different treatment approaches.Materials and methods: Retrospective study based on medical records of patients with multiple myeloma, eligible for stem cell transplantation, who received, first-line, the VTD or TD combination.Results: A total of 83 patients were analyzed.The average age was 57 years.The most common type of MM was immunoglobulin G kappa (79.5%), and 51.8% had an International Staging System score of 3. At diagnosis, 28.9% had renal failure, and 42.2% had albumin levels < 3 g/dL.37.3% were treated with the TD regimen, whereas 62.7% received the VTD regimen.It was considered that 53% had a favorable response.However, patients treated with ETV showed a higher proportion of responses (54.8% vs. 39.3%, p = 0.011).Regarding survival, no differences were identified between the two treatments (Log Rank 0.076) or between the times until the next treatment (Log Rank 0.288).Conclusion: The VTD scheme was superior to the TD scheme, presenting response ratios similar to other series worldwide.This makes it a viable option for patients with limited financial resources.