A systematic review on the use of bortezomib in multiple myeloma patients with renal impairment: what is the published evidence?

This report presents the totality of evidence through a systematic review that assessed either the efficacy or safety of bortezomib-based regimens in multiple myeloma with renal impairment. A systematic and comprehensive search of the literature was performed using MEDLINE databases from 1978 to December 1, 2010, and a hand search of references. We used the following medical subject headings (MESH) to identify potential studies: 'myeloma renal failure' (1,225 hits) and 'bortezomib' (2,554 hits). An additional search performed by combining the MESH terms 'myeloma renal failure' and 'bortezomib' yielded 50 citations. Five additional case-control studies judged relevant for the purpose of study were also included. In total, 6 case reports, 9 case series and 9 case-control studies were identified that reported on myeloma, renal failure and bortezomib. In this review, only the case series and case-control studies were considered. The results of our search led to the following conclusions: (1) bortezomib is feasible and well tolerated and its efficacy and safety are not substantially modified by renal failure patients, (2) renal failure should not induce physicians to reduce doses, since the efficacy of bortezomib is attained also in dialyzed patients who may achieve dialysis independence, and (3) standard doses of bortezomib (i.e. 1.3 mg/m(2) on days 1, 4, 8, 11) associated with dexamethasone yield satisfactory tumor response, generally obtained shortly after starting therapy. Although many questions remain unanswered, our effort should be considered a relevant scientific and practical address for generating a diagnostic and therapeutic algorithm to be used in patients with renal impairment related to multiple myeloma.