Response of Bortezomib Versus Non-Bortezomib Based Regimen in Newly Diagnosed Patients of Multiple Myeloma

Abstract

Objective: To evaluate the response of Bortezomib based regimen versus non Bortezomib based regimen in treatment of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients.
Methods: Equal number of newly diagnosed Multiple Myeloma patients treated with Bortezomib and nonBortezomib based regimen were included in the study after informed consent. Baseline characteristics were recorded. Response was assessed after 4 cycles of therapy according to International Myeloma Working Group (IWMG). Data was analyzed using SPSS version-23. Initial frequencies and percentages of data were obtained. Descriptive variables were reported as mean & frequencies. Intergroup Analysis was done using
Mann Whitney test with p<0.05 taken as significant.
Results: In the Bortezomib containing arm, 25.9% patients achieved Complete response (CR) while very good partial response (VGPR), partial response (PR) was seen in 40% and 14.81% patients respectively. Here, 3.7% patients had progressive disease (PD). In non-Bortezomib arm, no one achieved a complete response, while 37.03%, 33.33%, 14.8% and 7.4% patients had VGPR, PR and SD and PD respectively. The difference in response between the two arms was significant as interpreted by Mann Whitney test p<0.05.

Conclusion: Bortezomib based regimens are associated with better response rates in newly diagnosed patients of Multiple Myeloma in Pakistani population.