Treatment of newly diagnosed myeloma: Bortezomib-based triplet

We review the options for the treatment of newly diagnosed myeloma in a patient who is a candidate for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT). Bortezomib, lenalidomide, dexamethasone (VRD) has been studied in two randomized trials as first-line therapy. In one of these trials, VRD demonstrated improved overall survival compared with lenalidomide plus dexamethasone (Rd). By contrast, phase III data with overall survival differences are not available for other bortezomib-containing regimens compared with modern lenalidomide-containing regimens. Carfilzomib-lenalidomide-dexamethasone (KRD) is an alternative promising regimen but has only been evaluated in small phase II studies in the frontline setting. More data are needed before this regimen can be recommended to standard risk patients with newly diagnosed myeloma. A phase III trial comparing VRD and KRD is ongoing.