Therapeutic effects of high-dose dexamethasone combined with thalidomide and bortezomib on renal function in patients newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

Objective To assess the efficacy of high dose dexamethasone combined with bortezomib and thalidomide in multiple myeloma (MM) patients with acute renal failure.Methods 23 newly diagoosed MM patients with acute renal failure were treated with high dose dexamethasone combined with bortezomib and thalidomide.Results Reversal of renal failure was documented in 58.3 ％ (7/12) of those severe renal failure patients and 81.8 ％ (9/11) of renal failure patients.Renal function was reversed in 69.5 ％ (16/23) of all patients.The total response rate for MM was 60.9 ％ (14/23).The median time to response was 2 (1-5) months. Overall survival (OS) at 3 years was 56.5 ％ and the median survival time was 34.4 months.Conclusion Renal failure was reversible in the majority of newly diagnosed MM patients treated with highdose dexamethasone containing regimens.The addition of novel agents thalidomide and (or) bortezomib is safe and induces a more rapid renal failure reversal compared with routine chemotherapy. Key words: Multiple myeloma; Renal insufficiency; Dexamethasone; Thalidomide; Bortezomib