Comparison of bortezomib-cyclophosphamide-dexamethasone versus bortezomib-dexamethasone based regimens in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma patients

The treatment landscape and clinical outcome of multiple myeloma (MM) patients have changed in the last decades, with an improved median survival of 8-10 years. This study aimed to evaluate the bortezomib, cyclophosphamide and dexamethasone (VCD) regimen versus bortezomib and dexamethasone (VD) regimen in patients with newly diagnosed MM. This study has been performed in a retrospective manner. One hundred and three patients with newly diagnosed MM who received chemotherapy at our tertiary care center between the years of 2009 and 2018 were evaluated. A total of 103 patients were included. The 5-year overall survival (OS) for patients who received VD regimen and patients who received VCD regimen were 75% and 83%, respectively. The OS for VD patients was 113.1±12.5 versus 122.2±9.5 months for VCD patients with no statistically significant difference (P=0.47). The 5- year PFS (progression free survival) for patients who received VD regimen and patients who received VCD regimen were 66% and 75%, respectively. The PFS for VCD patients was higher than the PFS for VD patients (67.1±7.4 versus 97.7±13.4 months), but no statistically significant difference was observed (P=0.59). Relapse rate (P=0.002) and mortality rate (P=0.01) were higher in VD group than VCD group and they were statistically significant. The OS and PFS were clinically longer in patients receiving VCD regimen than in patients receiving VD regimen, although not statistically significant. Cyclophosphamide should be given to patients at physician discretion and depending on patient’s frailty function.