Linked Life Data

12685831

Source:http://linkedlifedata.com/resource/pubmed/id/12685831

Statements in which the resource exists as a subject.
PredicateObject
rdf:type
lifeskim:mentions
pubmed:issue
9
pubmed:dateCreated
2003-4-10
pubmed:abstractText
Multiple myeloma remains incurable. Despite the pursuit of various chemotherapeutic approaches, little improvement in outcome has been made in the last 30 years. Thalidomide, dexamethasone, and clarithromycin are oral, nonmyelosuppressive agents, each with reported single agent activity against myeloma. We evaluated a regimen of clarithromycin (Biaxin), low-dose thalidomide and dexamethasone (BLT-D) in patients with previously untreated or treated multiple myeloma or Waldenström's macroglobulinemia. Patients were initially given clarithromycin 500 mg twice daily, thalidomide 50-200 mg daily, and dexamethasone 40 mg weekly until disease progression. Minimum response was defined as > 50% reduction in monoclonal immunoglobulin or light chain levels in serum or urine. Response, toxicity, and survival were determined on an evaluable and/or intent-to-treat basis. Of the 50 patients available for analysis, 92% remain alive and 64% remain on treatment with a median and mean duration of treatment of 7 and 8 months, respectively. Overall, 93% of evaluable patients responded to BLT-D, including 13% complete remissions, 40% near complete responses, 13% major responses, and 27% partial responses. Minimal drug resistance was initially encountered. Neurotoxicity, although usually mild to moderate, was the primary reason for treatment discontinuation. Only four patients died, including three sudden deaths in patients with severe cardiopulmonary disease. It appears that BLT-D is a highly effective, nonmyelosuppressive regimen for myeloma. Caution should be exercised when using thalidomide, alone or in combination, in patients with a preexisting tendency to thromboses, severe cardiopulmonary disease, or neurologic dysfunction.
pubmed:language
eng
pubmed:journal
pubmed:citationSubset
IM
pubmed:chemical
pubmed:status
MEDLINE
pubmed:month
Sep
pubmed:issn
1042-8194
pubmed:author
pubmed:issnType
Print
pubmed:volume
43
pubmed:owner
NLM
pubmed:authorsComplete
Y
pubmed:pagination
1777-82
pubmed:dateRevised
2006-11-15
pubmed:meshHeading
pubmed:year
2002
pubmed:articleTitle
BLT-D (clarithromycin [Biaxin], low-dose thalidomide, and dexamethasone) for the treatment of myeloma and Waldenström's macroglobulinemia.
pubmed:affiliation
Specialized Center of Research for Multiple Myeloma, Weill Medical College of Cornell University and the Department of Medicine, New York Presbyterian Hospital-Cornell Medical Center, New York, NY 10021, USA. mortoncolemanmd@aol.com
pubmed:publicationType
Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't