Trial Information

Thalidomide for Multiple Myeloma

This study attempts to examine the potential efficacy of thalidomide in the treatment of
patients with previously untreated multiple myeloma. The trial focuses on patients with
asymptomatic and indolent disease who do not require immediate chemotherapy. We intend to
treat asymptomatic patients with an initial dose of 200 mg each evening, increasing to a
maximum of 800 mg.

Thalidomide is supplied as 50 mg capsules to be taken by mouth. The initial dose will be
200 mg at bedtime daily for 14 days (days 1-14), followed by an increase to 400 mg daily
for 14 days (days 15-28), 600 mg daily for 14 days (days 29-42), up to a maximum 800 mg
(days 43-completion) daily provided there are no side effects.

Patients who experience significant toxicity (grade 2 or more) at any time during therapy
will receive a lower dose after treatment is interrupted for at least 2 days.

Once a maximum tolerated dose has been reached free of side effects, that dose will be
continued for a total of 3 months from institution of therapy before definition of
response or resistance. Only patients who have received at least 200 mg/d for at least 2
months will be considered evaluable for response. For patients in remission, treatment
will be continued at the maximum dose free of side effects until relapse. Selected
patients <55 years of age who achieve remission may be eligible for stem cell transplant
(SCT) in which case thalidomide will be discontinued prior to SCT.

Patients must be willing to return for evaluation every 4 weeks since thalidomide may only
be prescribed for 28 day intervals.