ASH 2013 - Maintenance Matters

This study confirms again that they are correct - Rd thoroughly trounces MPT. For those of us seniors with access to Revlimid, though, this study clearly demonstrates the advantage of Revlimid maintenance after initial therapy.  It studied 1,623 newly-diagnosed myeloma patients over age 65 or ineligible for transplant, in three study arms: (A) Rd until disease progression; (B) Rd for 72 weeks or progression; and (C) MPT for 72 weeks or progression. Some results for patients on continuous Rd versus those on 72-week Rd: Median progression-free survival: 26 months versus 21 months. Four-year overall survival: 59% versus 51%. As time goes on, I would expect the difference in survival to grow.  If this were me, I sure would want to stay on the Revlimid continuously, rather than leave it after a year and a half. Oh wait, it IS me!  I'm on a study of Pomalyst, in the same family of drugs as Revlimid, and it has kept my cancer under control for five and a half years now.  My study initially included low-dose Dex, just like this study, but my Dex was gradually reduced to zero over about 80 weeks.  For all practical purposes I have been on maintenance, using Pomalyst as a single agent, for at least four years.  During my study I have been able to run 50 marathons, so maintenance has offered a good quality of life.
Source: Myeloma Hope - Category: Cancer Source Type: blogs