@article {8027,
	title = {Treatment of relapsed/refractory multiple myeloma with thalidomide-based regimens: Identification of prognostic factors},
	journal = {Leukemia and Lymphoma},
	volume = {45},
	year = {2004},
	note = {Cited By :8Export Date: 21 February 2017},
	month = {2004},
	pages = {2275 - 2279},
	abstract = {We evaluated the predictive value of several parameters, including the International Staging System (ISS) for myeloma, in patients with advanced disease treated with thalidomide-based regimens (TBR). We analyzed 119 patients, from 3 phase II studies. Patients with pretreatment β2 microglobulin < 3.5 mg/l and albumin >= 3.5 g /dl were scored ISS stage 1, patients with β2 microglobulin < 3.5 mg/1 and albumin < 3.5 g/dl or β2 microglobulin 3.5-5.5 mg/l regardless of albumin levels were scored ISS stage 2, patients with β2 microglobulin > 5.5 mg/l ISS stage 3. ISS stage was 1, 2 and 3 in 45, 32 and 23\% of patients respectively. Seventy-four patients (62\% achieved at least partial response. Median progression-free and overall survival were 8 months and 19.5 months respectively. ISS stage, serum LDH and performance status were independent predictive factors for survival. Based on these 3 variables a scoring system was developed with survival times of 38.1, 28.8 and 5.8 months for scores 0, 1 and 2 respectively. The ISS staging system was highly predictive for overall survival of patients with advanced myeloma treated with TBR. With the addition of performance status and serum LDH, a simple scoring system was developed which may help select patients likely to benefit from TBR. {\textcopyright} 2004 Taylor \& Francis Ltd.},
	keywords = {Advanced myeloma, International Staging System, Prognostic factors, Staging},
	url = {https://www.scopus.com/inward/record.uri?eid=2-s2.0-8644240941\&doi=10.1080\%2f10428190410001733772\&partnerID=40\&md5=7d575dd2b82b3240c0516846c22aa961},
	author = {Anagnostopoulos, A. and Gika, D. and Hamilos, G. and Zervas, K. and Zomas, A. and Pouli, A. and Zorzou, M. and Kastritis, E. and Anagnostopoulos, N. and Tassidou, A. and Anagnostou, D. and Dimopoulos, M.-A.}
}
