1 Guidance
1.1 Bortezomib monotherapy is recommended as an option for the treatment of progressive multiple myeloma in people who are at first relapse having received one prior therapy and who have undergone, or are unsuitable for, bone marrow transplantation, under the following circumstances:
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the response to bortezomib is measured using serum M protein after a maximum of four cycles of treatment, and treatment is continued only in people who have a complete or partial response (that is, reduction in serum M protein of 50% or more or, where serum M protein is not measurable, an appropriate alternative biochemical measure of response) and
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the manufacturer rebates the full cost of bortezomib for people who, after a maximum of four cycles of treatment, have less than a partial response (as defined above).
1.2 People currently receiving bortezomib monotherapy who do not meet the criteria in paragraph 1.1 should have the option to continue therapy until they and their clinicians consider it appropriate to stop.