The first "shot" doctors fire at newly diagnosed myeloma is a broadside of three drugs. This is called the induction phase. The goal is to reduce the number of cancerous plasma cells in the bone marrow as well as the abnormal proteins they produce. The three-drug regimen, is known as VRD therapy, consisting of:
- Velcade (bortezomib): This targeted therapy disrupts the mechanism by which cancer cells break down proteins. This build-up of protein within the cell eventually causes the cells to die.
- Revlimid (lenalidomide): This is known as an immunomodulatory drug. In other words, it activates your immune system to target cancer cells and kill them like they would any other infection.
- Dexamethasone: This is a steroid drug that prevents inflammation and associated pain from myeloma, and it can even help kill myeloma cells at high doses.
Induction therapy can last for anywhere from 3-6 cycles. If patients tolerate the treatment well through these cycles, they will move on to phase two of treatment.
Read More While the VRD treatment regimen has been shown to be highly effective, you may be wondering: how much do these drugs cost? The answer is quite a lot. The total annual cost of VRD therapy is approximately $220,000, according to a report published by The American Society of Clinical Oncology. In fact, multiple myeloma is one of the most expensive cancers to treat because it requires such a diverse set of drugs that must be taken over long periods of time. Most private insurance plans will cover the majority of the cost of these drugs for patients, but even then, you may be on the hook for close to $10,000/yr. The outlook for those on public insurance, like Medicare, is even grimmer. Drug costs for these patients may be closer to about $20,000/yr. Be sure to discuss costs of care with your insurance provider before beginning treatment. And the major organization for cancer specialists has made clear your physician should have "a cost conversation" with you, because it is important to your well-being and peace of mind.
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