This trial determined the safety and efficacy of the combination regimen clarithromycin (Biaxin), lenalidomide (Revlimid), and dexamethasone (BiRD) as first-line therapy for multiple myeloma. Patients received BiRD in 28-day cycles. Dexamethasone (40 mg) was given orally once weekly, clarithromycin (500 mg) was given orally twice daily, and lenalidomide (25 mg) was given orally daily on days 1 to 21. Objective response was defined by standard criteria (ie, decrease in serum monoclonal protein [M-protein] by at least 50%, and a decrease in urine Mprotein by at least 90%). Of the 72 patients enrolled, 65 had an objective response (90.3%). A combined stringent and conventional complete response rate of 38.9% was achieved, and 73.6% of the patients achieved at least a 90% decrease in Mprotein levels. This regimen did not interfere with hematopoietic stem-cell harvest. Fifty-two patients who did not go on to receive transplants received continued therapy (complete response, 37%; very good partial response, 33%). The major adverse events were thromboembolic events, corticosteroid-related morbidity, and cytopenias. BiRD is an effective regimen with manageable side effects in the treatment of symptomatic, newly diagnosed multiple myeloma. This trial was registered at www.clinicaltrials.gov as

Summary Data on 72 patients receiving lenalidomide/dexamethasone for multiple myeloma (MM) was used to determine the factors that are associated with lenalidomide‐induced myelosuppression. Eight of 14 patients with grade ≥3 myelosuppression had baseline creatinine clearance (CrCl) ≤0·67 ml/s. Kaplan–Meier analysis by log‐rank test demonstrated a significant association (P < 0·0001) between renal insufficiency and time to myelosuppression (hazard ratio = 8·4; 95% confidence interval 2·9–24·7, P = 0·0001). Therefore, CrCl is inversely associated with significant myelosuppression. Caution should be exercised when lenalidomide therapy is commenced and CrCl should be incorporated as a determinant of the initial dosing of lenalidomide in MM patients.

Asymmetric LVH and remodelling patterns different from concentric LVH are common in CA. Increased LV mass index, increased RWT, and asymmetric LVH are independently associated with the diagnosis. Traditional diagnostic criteria show poor sensitivity.