Response Of Bortezomib, Cyclophosphamide And Dexamethasone Induction Chemotherapy In Multiple Myeloma Patients Presenting To Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi

Objective: To determine the response rate and tolerability of Bortezomib, Cyclophosphamide and Dexamethasone (VCD) induction therapy in multiple myeloma patients. Study Design: Prospective longitudinal study Place and Duration of Study: Department of Oncology, Combined Military Hospital, Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Mar to Sep 2020. Methodology: Patients of either gender aged >20-65 years, newly diagnosed cases of multiple myeloma, Durie-Salmon stage II/III, were included. Patients were given Bortezomib, Cyclophosphamide and Dexamethasone induction therapy for a 21-day cycle. Response rate and tolerability were measured. Results: A total of 147 patients were included in the study. There were 75(51%) male and 72(49%) female.The overall response rate was seen in 93(63.3%) patients, complete response was seen in 30(20.4%), and partial response was seen in 63(42.9%) patients. The overall response rate was significantly associated with age, myeloma type, and Karnofsky's performance status (p-value<0.001). Conclusion: The novel sequential 3-drug combination of Bortezomib, Cyclophosphamide and Dexamethasone is safe and well tolerated for multiple myeloma patients. The results of the current study increase evidence of a moderately high response rate with Bortezomib, Cyclophosphamide and Dexamethasone induction therapy.