RELAPSED/REFRACTORY PATIENTS:

TREATMENT OPTIONS

Individuals who relapse shortly following completion of initial therapy may no longer respond to the initial medications used. These individuals, as well as those who do not respond to initial therapy, are said to have refractory disease. As with the primary treatment of myeloma, recent advances in research have created more options for treating relapsed/refractory disease. These options include combinations using some or all of the following therapies:

Revlimid^® (lenalidomide)
Velcade^®(bortezomib) for Injection
Thalomid^® (thalidomide)
Doxil^® (doxorubicin HCI)

Experimental treatments in clinical trials are also options. You can learn about many of the options in clinical trials using the links below:

Tanespimycin (17-AAG)
Zolinza (vorinostat)
Perifosine (KRX-0401)
Panobinostat (LBH589)
Carfilzomib (PR-171)
CNTO 328
Aplidin (plitidepsin)
Avastin® (bevacizumab)
Pomalidomide (CC-4047)
Elotuzumab (HuLuc63)

A full summary of all experimental treatments for patients who are relapsed or relapsed-refractory can be viewed on this table.

Click here to visit the MMRF Patient Navigator program to determine which clinical trial(s) may be most appropriate for you.

High-dose chemotherapy and stem cell transplant is also an option for patients at relapse. Click here to learn more about stem cell transplant