Table 1.

Summary of agents and grade of recommendation.

AgentStudyResultsRecommendationLevel of evidence
PFS indicates progression-free survival; OS, overall survival; PAD, bortezomib, adriamycin, dexamethasone ; VAD, vincristine, adriamycin, dexamethasone 
Interferon Mandelli et al5  PFS and response duration were improved; but interferon decreased OS Not recommended Grade 2A 
Prednisolone SWOG study9
 Spencer et al10  High toxicity
 Thalidomide was superior Recommended, but not used widely because of toxicity concerns. Grade 2A 
Thalidomide IFM-99 0211  3 randomized studies showing benefit to thalidomide in PFS Recommended but not used widely because of toxicity concerns. Grade 2A 
Lenalidomide Ongoing studies No data Not recommended until data matures and results are available Grade 1C 
Bortezomib HOVON14
 Ongoing studies by Richardson et al and Kumar et al Bortezomib had superior response and PFS in the PAD arm compared to thalidomide in the VAD arm. Not widely used until data from ongoing studies are available Grade 1B 
AgentStudyResultsRecommendationLevel of evidence
PFS indicates progression-free survival; OS, overall survival; PAD, bortezomib, adriamycin, dexamethasone ; VAD, vincristine, adriamycin, dexamethasone 
Interferon Mandelli et al5  PFS and response duration were improved; but interferon decreased OS Not recommended Grade 2A 
Prednisolone SWOG study9
 Spencer et al10  High toxicity
 Thalidomide was superior Recommended, but not used widely because of toxicity concerns. Grade 2A 
Thalidomide IFM-99 0211  3 randomized studies showing benefit to thalidomide in PFS Recommended but not used widely because of toxicity concerns. Grade 2A 
Lenalidomide Ongoing studies No data Not recommended until data matures and results are available Grade 1C 
Bortezomib HOVON14
 Ongoing studies by Richardson et al and Kumar et al Bortezomib had superior response and PFS in the PAD arm compared to thalidomide in the VAD arm. Not widely used until data from ongoing studies are available Grade 1B 

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