From the Research
The next step for a patient with lymphoma who has achieved a partial response to bortezomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone should be to consider continuing the current regimen for additional cycles, as the most recent and highest quality study 1 did not show a significant benefit of switching to a different regimen, such as carfilzomib, lenalidomide, and dexamethasone, in terms of progression-free survival. This approach is supported by the study 1, which found that the VRd regimen remains the standard of care for induction therapy for patients with standard-risk and intermediate-risk newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. Some key points to consider when making this decision include:
- The patient's eligibility for autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT), as this may be a viable option for deepening and consolidating their response 2
- The patient's age, comorbidities, and performance status, as these factors may impact their ability to tolerate additional cycles of therapy 3, 4
- The importance of regular monitoring of disease response using serum protein electrophoresis, free light chain assays, and imaging studies to assess the effectiveness of treatment and guide future decisions 5
- The potential benefits and risks of maintenance treatment with lenalidomide alone after completing the planned therapy, as this may help to prolong progression-free survival 1.