Velcade (Bortezomib), Adriamycin Dexamethasone (PAD) or Vincristine Adriamycin Dexamethasone in Second Line Treatment of Multiple Myeloma
Velcade (Bortezomib), Adriamycin Dexamethasone (PAD) or Vincristine Adriamycin Dexamethasone in Second Line Treatment of Multiple Myeloma
The purpose of this research study is to test the safety and effectiveness of replacing
 vincristine with a drug called bortezomib (also known as "Velcade"or PS341) in the standard
 therapy vincristine, doxorubicin (not limited to, but formerly referred to under the
 tradename Adriamycin) and dexamethasone (VAD) in patients with multiple myeloma. Multiple
 Myeloma is the second most common cancer of the blood. Bortezomib is the first approved
 cancer treatment in a new class of medicines called proteasome inhibitors. It disrupts the
 cell cycle of the cell, affecting numerous biologic pathways, including those related to
 growth and survival of cancer cells. The treatment will be used as second line treatment,
 which means either the disease has returned after a period of improvement (relapse) or the
 disease did not respond to the initial treatment (refractory). Patients will receive either
 bortezomib (PS341), doxorubicin (Adriamycin) and dexamethasone (PAD) or the VAD standard
 therapy.
Bortezomib, has been approved for use in patients with multiple myeloma, who have already
 received at least one prior treatment and whose disease is worsening on their last treatment
 and who have already undergone or are unsuitable for bone marrow transplantation. Bortezomib
 has significant activity in patients with relapsed multiple myeloma, its efficacy is
 increased with the addition of dexamethasone and it demonstrates synergy with doxorubicin.
 The VAD combination has been widely used in multiple myeloma and has demonstrated to be
 effective in relapsed patients. Based on previous trial results, it is hoped that bortezomib,
 in replacing vincristine in the VAD standard therapy, can improve the response to treatment
 of patients with multiple myeloma, with manageable side effects. This is an international,
 multicentre, randomised, open-label, parallel group study. About 212 patients will take part
 in the study. Patients will be treated with either bortezomib (PS-341), Adriamycin and
 Dexamethasone (PAD) or Vincristine, Adriamycin and Dexamethasone (VAD). There will be an
 initial 14 day screening period to evaluate if the patient is suitable for the study. After
 screening, eligible patients will be randomised to receive either PAD or VAD. Patients will
 receive therapy for up to 8 treatment cycles of 28 days each. After the treatment period,
 there will be a long-term follow-up period with monthly visits until disease progression or
 relapse. Thereafter follow-up will be continued by at least a phone call every other month.
 This long-term follow-up period will be performed for all patients until the last patient was
 treated and followed up for 1 year. Response to treatment will be assessed according to the
 European group for blood and marrow transplant criteria (EBMT). Disease burden will be
 monitored by measuring M-protein concentration in serum and in urine every 4 weeks until
 disease progression or relapse. Thereafter follow-up for survival will be continued every
 other month by at least a phone call. Safety will be assessed by monitoring of adverse events
 (AEs), vital signs, physical examination and clinical laboratory tests. Treatment with PAD or
 VAD will be for up to 8 cycles of 28 days each. Treatment beyond 6 cycles will be discussed
 on individual basis. Proposed dosages are: bortezomib 1.3 mg/m² intravenous (IV) bolus on
 Days 1, 4, 8, and 11; vincristine 0.4mg IV push on Days 1 to 4; doxorubicin 9mg/m² IV push on
 Days 1 to 4; dexamethasone in 1st cycle 40 mg daily on Days 1 to 4, 9 to 12 and 17 to 20,
 orally (or equivalent parenteral dose) and on subsequent cycles as 40 mg daily on Days 1 to 4
 and 17 to 20 only.
Inclusion Criteria:

 -  Relapsed or refractory multiple myeloma following 1 previous line of therapy and, is
 scheduled by the investigator to be treated with vincristine, adriamycin and
 dexamethasone standard therapy

 -  measurable secretory multiple myeloma based on defined criteria

 -  Karnofsky performance status of >or = 60%

 -  fulfils defined laboratory requirements within 14 days before baseline

 -  if female, the patient is either postmenopausal or surgically sterilised or willing to
 use an acceptable method of birth control for defined period of time

 -  if male, the patient agrees to use an acceptable barrier method for contraception for
 a defined period of time.

 Exclusion Criteria:

 -  More than one previous line of therapy for multiple myeloma

 -  use of bortezomib in the previous line of therapy and/or received bortezomib in a
 previous trial

 -  known allergy or hypersensitivity to bortezomib, boron or mannitol

 -  peripheral neuropathy or neuropathic pain of grade 2 or higher

 -  myocardial infarction within 6 months of enrollment or had New York Heart Association
 (NYHA) Class III or IV heart failure, uncontrolled angina, severe uncontrolled
 ventricular arrhythmias, or electrocardiographic evidence of acute ischemia or active
 conduction system abnormalities.