@article {7920,
	title = {VAD-doxil versus VAD-doxil plus thalidomide as initial treatment for multiple myeloma: Results of a multicenter randomized trial of the Greek myeloma study group},
	journal = {Annals of Oncology},
	volume = {18},
	year = {2007},
	note = {Cited By :50Export Date: 21 February 2017},
	month = {2007},
	pages = {1369 - 1375},
	abstract = {Background: We have previously demonstrated that vincristine, liposomal doxorubicin and dexamethasone (VAD-doxil) is equally effective with VAD-bolus yielding objective response rates of 61\% as first-line treatment in multiple myeloma (MM). In a phase II study, the addition of thalidomide to VAD-doxil (TVAD-doxil) proved feasible and increased response rate to 74\%. The aim of the present multicenter prospective randomized clinical trial was to compare the efficacy and toxicity of VAD-doxil and TVAD-doxil in previously untreated MM patients. Patients and methods: We enrolled 232 newly diagnosed MM patients aged \&lt;75 years, 115 randomized to VAD-doxil (arm A) and 117 to TVAD-doxil (arm B). Patients in arm A received vincristine 2 mg i.v. and liposomal doxorubicin 40 mg/m2 i.v., on day 1 and dexamethasone 40 mg p.o. daily on days 1-4, 9-12 and 17-20 for the first cycle and on days 1-4 for the next three cycles. Patients in arm B received additionally thalidomide 200 mg p.o. daily, at bedtime. Treatment was administered every 28 days. Results: On an intention-to-treat basis, at least partial response was observed, in 62.6\% and in 81.2\% of patients randomized to arms A and B, respectively (P = 0.003). Progression-free survival (PFS) at 2 years was 44.8\% in arm A and 58.9\% in arm B (P = 0.013). Overall survival (OS) at 2 years was 64.6\% and 77\%, in arms A and B, respectively (P = 0.037). Considering overall toxicity, constipation, peripheral neuropathy, dizziness/somnolence, skin rash and edema were significantly higher in arm B compared with arm A (P \&lt; 0.01), but grade 3-4 toxicities were low and similar in both arms. Conclusions: The addition of thalidomide to VAD-doxil increases response and PFS rates and probably OS in previously untreated myeloma patients. The superiority of efficacy counterbalances the higher overall toxicity of TVAD-doxil. {\textcopyright} 2007 European Society for Medical Oncology.},
	keywords = {multiple myeloma, Thalidomide, VAD-doxil},
	url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-34548173936\&doi=10.1093\%2fannonc\%2fmdm178\&partnerID=40\&md5=94865afbd2903b5a1a6eb535c55b7d7d},
	author = {Zervas, K. and Mihou, D. and Katodritou, E. and Pouli, A. and Mitsouli, C.H. and Anagnostopoulos, A. and Delibasi, S. and Kyrtsonis, M.C. and Anagnostopoulos, N. and Terpos, E. and Zikos, P. and Maniatis, A. and Dimopoulos, M.A.}
}
