Farmacovigilância de pacientes portadores de mieloma múltiplo em tratamento com bortezomibe e/ou talidomida

Abstract

Introduction: Most protocols for the treatment of multiple myeloma (MM) consist of bortezomib and/or thalidomide, combined with other drugs such as alkylating agents and corticosteroids. Pharmacovigilance proves to be an important tool during treatment, as there is a high likelihood of patients having some type of adverse effect (AE). Objective: To assess the major adverse effects of the protocols that use bortezomib and/or thalidomide for the treatment of MM. Materials and methods: A prospective study of pharmacovigilance, carried out through interviews at each appointment with the patient, clinical observation, and by consulting laboratory tests and medical records. The National Cancer Institute criteria, version 4.0, were used for the identification and grading of AEs. Data were collected at three institutions, over 28 months. Results: A total of 59 patients (with 62 treatments being evaluated) were included in the study. There was a predominance of females, 36 (61%), versus 23 (39%) males, and Whites, 49 (83.1%), versus Blacks, 10 (16.9%). Patient age ranged from 40 to 94 years, with a median of 65 years (SD = 11.6). Regarding staging at diagnosis, 27 (45.7%) of the patients were in stage III-A, with 12 (20.3%) patients having creatinine ≥ 2. The main AEs for the bortezomib treatment group (n = 40) were: neutropenia (42.5%), diarrhea (47.5%), and peripheral neuropathy (PN) in 60% of cases, with no difference (p = 0.343) between intravenous administration of bortezomib (n = 26) and subcutaneous use (n = 14). In the group treated with thalidomide (n = 19), 31.6% had neutropenia, 47.4% constipation, and 68.4% PN. Neutropenia was associated with the use of alkylating agents (p = .038). Of the 3 patients who received bortezomib combined with thalidomide, only 1 presented NP (33.3%). Conclusion: NP was the main AE of the protocols that used bortezomib or thalidomide, with increased risk of neutropenia in those using alkylating agents. Improving the identification AEs is critical in caring for the patient with MM, which shows progressive improvements in treatment, and requires a rational and safe use of medicines.