Using Velcade as part of initial treatment for myeloma improves outcomes

The standard treatment for multiple myeloma, a blood cell cancer, is taking the drugs Alkeran (melphalan) and prednisone. Velcade (bortezomib) has also been shown to be an effective treatment. A large study of multiple myeloma treatments has shown that taking all three drugs as part of the initial treatment improves the outcome. Compared to people who took only Alkeran and prednisone, people who took all three drugs had a longer time before their disease got worse and tended to live longer.

Other combinations of drugs, such as Revlimid (lenalidomide) plus Decadron (dexamethasone), have shown promising results in treating multiple myeloma. However, researchers have yet to compare the different combination treatments to see if one works better than others.

San Miguel, Jesus F. et al. "Bortezomib plus Melphalan and Prednisone for Initial Treatment of Multiple Myeloma." New England Journal of Medicine 359(2008): 909-917, 964.

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