Melphalan (M), Prednisone (P) and Lenalidomide (R) Combination (MPR) for Newly Diagnosed Multiple Myeloma Patients Who Are Not Candidates for Stem Cell Transplantation.

Lenalidomide is an orally active immunomodulatory drug effective in the treatment of multiple myeloma. We evaluated the toxicity and efficacy of MPR combination in a phase I/II study. Patients with newly diagnosed symptomatic multiple myeloma who were not candidates or refused stem cell transplantation were eligible. Treatment consisted of M and P on days 1 – 4 and R on days 1 – 21 in a 28 day cycle. All patients received aspirin 325 mg a day. Routine antibacterial prophylaxis was not used. Patients were accrued in cohorts of 3 at dose level 0 (M 5mg/m ²/d P 60 mg/m²/d R 10 mg/d) and level 1 (M 8mg/m²/d P 60 mg/m²/d R 10 mg/d). Patients were followed for at least 2 cycles to assess Dose Limiting Toxicity (DLT). G/GM-CSF use was not allowed in the first 2 cycles unless DLT had occurred. DLT was defined as occurrence of at least grade (G) 4 hematologic toxicity, G3 febrile neutropenia, or G 3 non-hematologic toxicity in the first two cycles. Failure to start the next cycle within 7 days of day 1 due to toxicity also constituted DLT.

Results: 7 patients have been accrued (4 at dose level 0 {one patient had to be replaced} and 3 at dose level 1). 4 were males. ECOG performance status was 0 or1 (2 and 4 patients). Median age was 74 yrs, range 72 – 85. Between 3 and 10 cycles (median 4) have been administered at the time of this reporting. The following G3 or higher toxicities were encountered and considered at least possibly related to treatment: 2 patients at level 0 had G3 neutropenia. Of the three patients at dose level 1, there was 1 G4 neutropenia, 1 G4 thrombocytopenia, 1 G3 hyperglycemia and 1 G4 vascular access device related thrombosis. Responses were defined by EBMT/IBMTR criteria. 1 had a complete remission (after 3 cycles), 4 had partial remission (at least 50% reduction in monoclonal protein) and 1 had minimal response (after 3 cycles). Due to 3 DLT’s in dose level 1, dose level 0 was chosen for phase II of the study.

Conclusion: M 5 mg/m², P 60 mg/m² and R 10 mg combination is well tolerated and appears effective in patients with multiple myeloma. These results are similar to the experience reported by