SummaryBortezomib (formerly PS-341) has significant activity in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma (MM), its efficacy is increased with the addition of dexamethasone and it demonstrates synergy with doxorubicin, thus providing the rationale for combination therapy with bortezomib, doxorubicin and dexamethasone (PAD). Patients with untreated MM received four 21-d cycles of PAD, comprising bortezomib 1AE3 mg/m 2 on days 1, 4, 8 and 11, along with dexamethasone 40 mg on days 1-4, 8-11 and 15-18 during cycle 1 and days 1-4 during cycles 2-4. During days 1-4, patients also received 0, 4AE5 or 9 mg/m 2 of doxorubicin at dose levels 1, 2, and 3 respectively. Following peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) collection, patients received high-dose melphalan (MEL200) with PBSC transplantation (PBSCT). After PAD induction alone, 20 of 21 patients (95%) achieved at least a partial response (PR), including complete response (CR) in five patients (24%). Twenty of 21 had PBSC mobilized, and 18 of 20 received MEL200/PBSCT. In an intention-to-treat analysis, response rates were: CR 43%, near CR 14%, very good PR 24%, PR 14% and stable disease 5%. PAD was effective, did not prejudice subsequent PBSC collection, and should be further evaluated in prospective randomized trials.

Summary:The cryoprotectant dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) is known to have toxic side effects, yet guidelines for its use in stem cell transplantation do not exist. To assess current practice in the use of DMSO and the incidence of DMSO-related complications, a single page questionnaire was mailed to 444 EBMT centres involved in autologous transplantation. The responses from 97 centres showed a wide variation in practice between transplant units regarding the concentration of DMSO used, daily DMSO dose restriction and the use of cell washing. The overall incidence of DMSO toxicity was approximately one in 70 transplants and most cases were cardiovascular and respiratory in nature. There was a trend to reduced complication rates in centres using lower concentrations of DMSO or washing cells prior to return. A large-scale prospective study of the strategies for reduction in exposure to DMSO and reduction in toxic effects is required before guidelines in the use of DMSO in stem cell cryopreservation can be promulgated. Bone Marrow Transplantation (2005) 36, 601-603.

SummaryBortezomib, doxorubicin and dexamethasone (PAD) was evaluated as induction before stem cell transplantation in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) patients, using bortezomib 1AE3 mg/m 2 (PAD1, N = 21) or 1AE0 mg/m 2 (PAD2, N = 20). Complete/very good partial response rates with PAD1/PAD2 were 62%/42% postinduction and 81%/53% post-transplant. Progression-free survival (29 vs. 24 months), time to re-treatment (36 vs. 29 months) and overall survival (1 year: 100% vs. 95%; 2 years: 95% vs. 73%) were statistically similar but favoured PAD1 versus PAD2. Toxicity was lower in PAD2; bortezomib dose reduction may help manage toxicities while retaining efficacy. PAD is highly active as front-line induction in MM.

Summary.A quantitative analysis of peripheral blood stem cell (PBSC) yield, measuring absolute numbers of CD34 þ cells × 10 6

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