Our previous phase I/II trial of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD), low-dose dexamethasone, and lenalidomide in patients with relapsed and refractory myeloma showed an overall response rate of 75%, with 29% achieving ≥ VGPR. Here, we investigated this combination (PLD 30 or 40 mg/m(2) intravenously, day 1; dexamethasone 40 mg orally, days 1-4; lenalidomide 25 mg orally, days 1-21; administered every 28 days) in a phase II study in patients with newly diagnosed symptomatic multiple myeloma to determine its efficacy and tolerability (ClinicalTrials.gov NCT00617591). At best response, patients could proceed with high-dose melphalan or with maintenance lenalidomide and dexamethasone. In 57 patients, we found that the overall response rate and rate of very good partial response and better on intent-to-treat, our primary endpoints, were 77.2% and 42.1%, respectively, with responses per the International Myeloma Working Group. Median progression-free survival was 28 months (95% CI 18.1-34.8), with 1- and 2-year overall survival rates of 98.1 and 79.6%. During induction, grade 3/4 toxicities were neutropenia (49.1%), anemia (15.8%), thrombocytopenia (7%), fatigue (14%), febrile neutropenia (8.8%), and venous thromboembolic events (8.8%). During maintenance, grade 3/4 toxicities were mainly hematologic. We found this combination to be active in patients with newly diagnosed myeloma, with results comparable to other lenalidomide-based induction strategies without proteasome inhibition. In addition, maintenance therapy with lenalidomide was well tolerated.
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