Written in Blood
with significant improvement in OS
at six months compared with non-
responders: 26 versus 19 months
(p=0.001). Hematologic progres-
sion also predicted OS (median
OS = 25 months for patients who
progressed; p=0.013), as no deaths
were reported in patients who did
not progress.
Thirty-one grade 3/4 adverse
events (AEs) were reported in 15
patients (54%); the most common
of which were fluid retention (25%),
infection (25%), atrial fibrillation
(7%), and deep vein thrombosis
(7%). The most common grade
1/2 AEs were fever (n=15, 54%),
neutropenia (n=12, 43%), skin rash
(n=4, 14%), and worsening periph-
eral neuropathy (n=2, 7%).
Dose reductions were required
in nine patients treated with
pomalidomide (32%) and 10 pa-
tients treated with dexamethasone
(36%). Dr. Palladini and co-authors
noted that “dose reductions were
not associated with clinical, bio-
chemical, and echographic markers
of heart involvement.” Twenty-six
patients eventually discontinued
treatment, most commonly because
of disease progression (n=14, 50%),
followed by AEs (n=8, 29%), patient
choice (n=3, 11%), and achievement
of durable CR (n=1, 4%).
Two patients remained on
treatment after 28 and 30 cycles,
having achieved VGPR and PR,
respectively. Nineteen patients
(68%) died during follow-up and
the remaining patients were fol-
lowed for a median of 44 months.
No deaths occurred in the first 100
days following treatment.