Efficacy of bendamustine in relapsed/refractory myeloma patients: results from the French compassionate use program

Leuk Lymphoma. 2012 Apr;53(4):632-4. doi: 10.3109/10428194.2011.622422. Epub 2011 Nov 25.

Abstract

One hundred and ten patients with multiple myeloma were treated with bendamustine as part of a French compassionate use program. To receive bendamustine, patients had to present with relapsed or refractory disease after prior therapies that had to include alkylators, steroids, IMiDs and bortezomib. The median number of bendamustine cycles administered was 4 (1-13). The overall response rate (≥ partial response) was 30%, including 2% complete responses. The median progression-free and overall survival for the entire cohort were 9.3 and 12.4 months, respectively. In this series of patients with advanced disease, both the response rate and the duration of response are encouraging and indicate that bendamustine presents a feasible option, which should be considered for the treatment of relapsed/refractory patients.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating / therapeutic use
  • Bendamustine Hydrochloride
  • Cohort Studies
  • Compassionate Use Trials*
  • Disease-Free Survival
  • Drug Administration Schedule
  • Drug Resistance, Neoplasm
  • Female
  • France
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Myeloma / pathology
  • Nitrogen Mustard Compounds / therapeutic use*
  • Recurrence
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents, Alkylating
  • Nitrogen Mustard Compounds
  • Bendamustine Hydrochloride