Extramedullary intracranial localization of multiple myeloma and treatment with novel agents: a retrospective survey of 50 patients.

BACKGROUND: Intracranial involvement in multiple myeloma is extremely rare. The effect of new drugs (eg, thalidomide, bortezomib, lenalidomide) with respect to old drugs (eg, alkylators, steroids) has not been reported. METHODS: We collected clinical and biological data of patients presenting with an osteo-dural or primary dural multiple myeloma (OD-DMM) or a central nervous system myelomatosis (CNS-MM) by sending a questionnaire to the centers of the Gruppo Italiano Malattie Ematologiche dell'Adulto (GIMEMA). RESULTS: A total of 50 patients were registered. New therapies were used in 35 patients, whereas 15 patients received old treatments. Twenty-five out of 50 patients obtained a complete remission or a very good partial remission (CR+VGPR). Overall survival (OS) for CNS-MM was 6 months, for OD-DMM 25 months. OS was 25 months for patients treated with new agents versus 8 months with old agents. Improved OS and progression-free survival were predicted by response (CR+VGPR) and by patients who underwent stem cell transplantation versus chemotherapy. ß2-Microglobulin >5 mmol/L was a poor prognostic factor. Multivariate analysis showed poor survival for patients with ß2-microglobulin >5 mmol/L and better survival for patients achieving CR+VGPR. CONCLUSIONS: The overall data highlight the relevance of therapy with new drugs in intracranial myeloma, providing a framework for future clinical trials.

Weekly bortezomib, pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, and dexamethasone is a safe and effective therapy for elderly patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma.

BACKGROUND: The synergic, additive effect of bortezomib and pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) has never been tested in an elderly group of patients with relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma (MM). PATIENTS AND METHODS: In this study, 25 patients with a median age of 75 years were treated with bortezomib at usual doses of 1.3 mg/m2 every 21 days. After 2 cycles, bortezomib was given intravenously (I.V.) weekly every 32 days. Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin 30 mg/m2 I.V. was given on day 4 for 2 cycles and then was given on day 8;. Dexamethasone 40 mg I.V. was given on days 1-4 for 2 cycles and then 20 mg weekly. RESULTS: Bortezomib/PLD/dexamethasone therapy resulted in 20 of 25 objective responses for an overall response rate of 80% (complete remission + very good partial remission, 66%). Median overall survival was not reached. Median duration of response (progression-free survival) was 8 months. Eleven of 16 patients (68%) with > or = VGPR still maintain a response at a median of 12 months versus 4 months for patients with < VGPR (PFS, overall survival; P = .0001). Grade 3/4 toxicities were mild in most of the patients. CONCLUSION: Bortezomib/ PLD/dexamethasone combination is safe and effective in elderly patients with resistant-relapsing MM.

The effects of zoledronic acid on serum lipids in multiple myeloma patients.

Nitrogen-containing bisphosphonates (N-BPs) inhibit osteoclast-mediated bone resorption and are widely used for tumor-associated osteolysis. The mechanism of action of these drugs has not been completely clarified, but it has been observed that N-BPs may inhibit squalene synthase or farnesyl pyrophosphate synthase. Zoledronic acid (ZA) represents a novel N-BP which also has antitumor activity. To explore the effects of ZA on serum lipids, we studied 26 patients with smoldering myeloma at diagnosis. Sixteen patients were treated with ZA (4 mg) at baseline and at months 1, 2, 4, and 6. The remaining 10 served as controls. In all subjects, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TGs), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), and C-terminal telopeptide of type I collagen (CTX) were measured at baseline and after 1, 3, and 6 months. In treated patients, we observed a progressive and significant reduction of TC, with a maximum decrease of 13% at 6 months. Moreover LDL-C decreased by 21% at 6 months, while no significant difference was appreciated in HDL-C and TGs. Also, the indexes of cardiovascular risk improved after ZA administration: TC/HDL-C ratio progressively decreased by 17% and HDL-C/LDL-C ratio increased by 36%, showing an effect that appears to be cumulative. In conclusion, ZA given intravenously at high doses in patients with smoldering myeloma seems to be able to modify the lipid profile with an improvement of atherosclerotic risk index.

Estrogen to progesterone ratio affects hormonal and lipid follicular fluid profiles in dairy cows.

Aim: The present study described hormonal and lipids concentrations of follicles that develop under high progesterone plasmatic levels, mimicking the second follicular wave. Methods: All follicles were removed by aspiration in order to generate a new follicular wave. Follicular fluid was then obtained from either 3 day old follicles (F3) or 6 day old follicles (F6). This experimental protocol was carried out at 20 days and 90 days post-partum on Frisian dairy cows that had already returned to cyclicity. Results: Estrogen active follicles (ratio of estrogen to progesterone in follicular fluid higher than 1) have higher levels of VEGF, IGF-I and linoleic acid, and have lower levels of NEFA, oleic and arachidonic acid. Non-estrogen active follicular fluid concentrations of IGF-I and NEFA were similar to plasma concentrations. In contrast, estrogen active follicles showed higher IGF-I and lower NEFA levels than plasmatic ones that could be used to sustain follicular growth. Conclusions: The results show that estrogen active follicles might have their own metabolism. (Reprod Med Biol 2007; 6: 45-51).