Lenalidomide treatment for patients with multiple myeloma: diagnosis and management of most frequent adverse events

Adv Ther. 2011 Mar:28 Suppl 1:11-6. doi: 10.1007/s12325-010-0102-x. Epub 2011 Mar 9.

Abstract

The introduction of novel antimyeloma therapies, including thalidomide, lenalidomide, and bortezomib, has expanded treatment options for patients with this disease. These compounds have altered the natural history of multiple myeloma, resulting in substantial improvements in patient outcomes. However, like with any other drug, their use is associated with a specific toxicity profile. The major adverse events (AEs) associated with lenalidomide include: hematological toxicities (myelosuppression), mainly neutropenia, venous thromboembolism, gastrointestinal disturbance, skin toxicity, atrial fibrillation, asthenia, and decreased peripheral blood stem cell yield during stem cell collection when lenalidomide is used after a long period of time. These AEs are predictable, consistent, and manageable with patient monitoring, supportive care, and dose adjustment. In this article, using three clinical cases as examples, we discuss the diagnoses and management of the most frequent AEs associated with lenalidomide treatment in patients with multiple myeloma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adrenal Insufficiency / chemically induced*
  • Adrenal Insufficiency / drug therapy
  • Adrenal Insufficiency / physiopathology
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols
  • Asthenia / chemically induced*
  • Asthenia / physiopathology
  • Asthenia / therapy
  • Bence Jones Protein / urine
  • Calcium / blood
  • Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
  • Drug Dosage Calculations
  • Female
  • Hematologic Diseases / chemically induced*
  • Hematologic Diseases / physiopathology
  • Hematologic Diseases / therapy
  • Humans
  • Lenalidomide
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Monitoring, Physiologic
  • Multiple Myeloma / diagnostic imaging
  • Multiple Myeloma / drug therapy*
  • Multiple Myeloma / metabolism
  • Multiple Myeloma / physiopathology
  • Patient Selection
  • Radiography
  • Thalidomide / administration & dosage
  • Thalidomide / adverse effects
  • Thalidomide / analogs & derivatives*
  • Time
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Venous Thromboembolism / chemically induced*
  • Venous Thromboembolism / physiopathology
  • Venous Thromboembolism / therapy

Substances

  • Thalidomide
  • Bence Jones Protein
  • Lenalidomide
  • Calcium