Coagulation profiles and thromboembolic events of bortezomib plus thalidomide and dexamethasone therapy in newly diagnosed multiple myeloma

Patients with multiple myeloma (MM) are at relatively high risk of developing thromboembolic event (TEE), especially during treatment with immnomodulatory agents. We characterized coagulation profiles and evaluate the incidence of TEE associated with the combination therapy of bortezomib–thalidomide–dexamethasone (VTD) in Chinese patients with newly diagnosed MM. The results indicated that the platelet count and platelet aggregation induced by the agonists were decreased after a short exposure to bortezomib in vivo. The incidence of TEE was low in VTD therapy for an overall rate of 3%. We do not recommend routine thromboprophylaxis for VTD therapy in Chinese patients with MM.