New drug combo better for bone cancer treatment

The first and largest trial to test the combination of bortezomib (Velcade) and lenalidomide (Revlimid) to treat bone cancer (multiple myeloma) has shown promise in heavily pre-treated relapsed patients with progressive and/ or therapy-resistant disease. Most in the 38-patient Phase I clinical trial previously had been given both drugs individually.

The goal was to assess patient benefit and dose size. Participants were divided into groups with increasing drug doses. Fifty-eight percent had a significant response to the twofold combination. of these, six percent had complete remission. While for some, remission lasted over 30 months, the median was six months, considered remarkable for such advanced disease. Patients whose disease progressed on the drug combination also received dexamethasone to boost the combination cocktail. About 75 percent of those given dexamethasone improved. Side-effects--mild fatigue, blood count suppression (reversible) and/or nerve tingling or numbness--were manageable. The study was presented at the American Society of Hematology's 2006 meeting.

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