Efficacy of Bortezomib Consolidation After High-dose Melphalan With Stem Cell Support in Myeloma Patients

Multiple myeloma is a malignant incurable hematological disease where survival has been significantly improved by high-dose melphalan with autologous stem cell support (ASCT) in younger patients. However, the disease will eventually relapse and new treatment is demanded. Bortezomib is a newly approved drug for treating relapsing multiple myeloma. It has a different biological effect and response even in patients refractory to conventional chemotherapy. The purpose of the study is in a randomized design to investigate if addition of bortezomib by 20 injections during a 4 months period starting 3 month after ASCT can prolong the time to progression compared to patients receiving no consolidation or maintenance therapy.