Pamidronate versus observation in asymptomatic myeloma: final results with long-term follow-up of a randomized study

• DOI: 10.3109/10428194.2011.553000
• Publication Date: 2011-02-08T11:01:24Z
• Authors: Giovanni D'arena; Paolo G. Gobbi; Chiara Broglia; Stefano Sacchi; Giovanni Quarta; Luca Baldini; Emilio Iannitto; Antonietta Falcone; Roberto Guariglia; Giuseppe Pietrant...; Oreste Villani; Maria Carmen Mart...; Giovanna Mansueto; Grazia Sanpaolo; Nicola Cascavilla; Pellegrino Musto
• Keywords: Tumor progression

A prospective, multicenter, randomized trial comparing pamidronate administration (60–90 mg once a month for 1 year) versus simple observation in 177 patients with asymptomatic myeloma was performed to explore whether the of this drug reduces rate and/or time progression overt, symptomatic disease. No relevant side effects were recorded pamidronate-treated patients. With minimum follow-up 5 years live patients, there 56/89 (62.9%) progressions group and 55/88 (62.5%) within controls (p = NS). Median 46 48 months, respectively Overall survival also similar between two groups. Skeletal-related events at observed 40/55 (72.7%) controls, but only 22/56 (39.2%) 0.009). In conclusion, myeloma, while reducing bone involvement progression, did not decrease risk transformation into overt myeloma.