Abstract
In a prospective phase II study, we evaluated the combination of high dose simvastatin and VAD chemotherapy in patients with refractory or relapsed multiple myeloma. Although treatment was feasible with mild side effects, only 1 of 12 patients achieved a partial response. According to our predefined criteria this was insufficient to continue the study.References
- van de Donk NW, Kamphuis MM, Lokhorst HM, Bloem AC. The cholesterol lowering drug lovastatin induces cell death in myeloma plasma cells. Leukemia. 2002; 16:1362-71. Google Scholar
- van der Spek E, Bloem AC, van de Donk NW, Bogers LH, van der Griend R, Kramer MH. Dose-finding study of highdose simvastatin combined with standard chemotherapy in patients with relapsed or refractory myeloma or lymphoma. Haematologica. 2006; 91:542-5. Google Scholar
- Blade J, Esteve J. Treatment approaches for relapsing and refractory multiple myeloma. Acta Oncol. 2000; 39:843-7. Google Scholar
- Thibault A, Samid D, Tompkins AC, Figg WD, Cooper MR, Hohl RJ. Phase I study of lovastatin, an inhibitor of the mevalonate pathway, in patients with cancer. Clin Cancer Res. 1996; 2:483-91. Google Scholar