VRD versus VCD as induction therapy before autologous stem cell transplantation in multiple myeloma: a nationwide population-based study

Abstract

Induction therapy followed by autologous stem cell transplantation (ASCT) is standard of care for young and fit patients with newly diagnosed multiple myeloma (MM) [1]. Induction therapy has evolved from doublet to triplet to quadruplet regimens over the last decades. The most common triplet therapy is either Bortezomib-Cyclophosphamide-Dexamethasone (VCD), Bortezomib-Lenalidomide-Dexamethasone (VRD), or less frequently Bortezomib-Thalidomide-Dexamethasone (VTD). No large, randomized phase III study comparing the VCD and VRD regimens has been conducted and is unlikely to be done in the future. Retrospective studies and smaller prospective studies comparing VRD and VCD have produced mixed results [2,3,4,5,6,7].