Role of Bendamustine in Treatment of Multiple Myeloma

Bendamustine is an antineoplastic drug with a double mechanism of action combining the properties of alkylating compound and purine analog; it has a promising activity in multiple myeloma (MM). In 2013, Bendamustine (Ribomustin) was registered in Russia for treatment of patients older than 65 years of age with newly diagnosed ММ who are not eligible for high dose chemotherapy (HDC) with autologous transplantation of hemopoetic stem cells and who have clinical signs of neuropathy which impede the use of thalidomide and/or bortezomib. The review presents data on the product efficacy and safety both as monotherapy and in combination with glucocorticoids and target therapy (bortezomib, thalidomide, lenalidomide), in newly diagnosed and relapsed MM patients. The presented data permit to recommend bendamustine combined with glucocorticoids and novel drugs for MM patients with relapses and as the first line therapy in some patients with polyneuropathy who are not eligible for HDC with autologous transplantation of hemopoetic stem cells.

• O.M. Votyakova N.N. Blokhin Russian Cancer Research Center of RAMS, Moscow, Russian Federation ; ФГБУ «Российский онкологический научный центр им. Н.Н. Блохина» РАМН, Москва, Российская Федерация

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