Very low-dose lenalidomide therapy for elderly multiple myeloma patients.

Kentaro Minagawa, Hiroki Kawano, Takuma Suzuki, Tadahiro Inagaki, Minoru Kishi, Tamaki Hirata, Sachiko Kimura, Miho Takechi, Toru Koide, Masahide Iwai, Yoshio Katayama, Toshimitsu Matsui

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

Lenalidomide treatment for refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma in elderly patients may be feasible in an outpatient setting. However, difficulties have been associated with the management of adverse effects. Therefore, a dose reduction in lenalidomide has been recommended in some cases. In this report, we encountered the successful treatment of myeloma in 6 elderly patients (aged above 70 years) with very low-dose lenalidomide (5 mg daily). Four patients exhibited more than a partial response with an 8.6 months median follow-up period, which was comparable with previous findings. The major adverse effect observed was infection, which occurred during the first several cycles. Others were less toxic, especially the absence of grade 3/4 toxicities for hematological adverse effects.Although a dose reduction in lenalidomide therapy for elderly patients is controversial, a very low dose could be safe and effective. Our group is currently conducting a multi-center prospective trial to evaluate the efficacy of low-dose lenalidomide therapy.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)457-462
Number of pages6
Journal[Rinshō ketsueki] The Japanese journal of clinical hematology
Volume54
Issue number5
StatePublished - May 2013

All Science Journal Classification (ASJC) codes

  • General Medicine

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