Waldenström
macroglobulinemia (WM) is a B-cell
lymphoproliferative disorder characterized by lymphoplasmacytic bone marrow infiltration and
immunoglobulin M (
IgM)
monoclonal gammopathy. It remains incurable, with a median survival of 5-10 years in symptomatic WM. Current first-line treatment options include
alkylating agents,
nucleoside analogues, and
rituximab-based
therapies. However, primary or secondary resistance invariably develops. Thus, new treatment options are needed. Preclinical studies have shown that the
proteasome inhibitor bortezomib targets signaling pathways of relevance in WM.
Bortezomib, alone and in combination with
rituximab, has demonstrated notable activity in clinical studies in patients with WM, predominantly in phase II trials in the relapsed or refractory setting. In newly diagnosed patients,
bortezomib plus
rituximab and
dexamethasone is highly active (complete response/near-complete response = 22%).
Bortezomib-based
therapies result in rapid responses, potentially making them suitable treatment options for patients with hyperviscosity-related symptoms who require a rapid reduction in
IgM level. In addition,
bortezomib appears unique in reducing
rituximab-associated
IgM flares.
Bortezomib is generally well tolerated in WM. However, neurotoxicity is common and might be the cause of
dose reduction or treatment discontinuation.
Bortezomib has no adverse effect on stem cell harvesting and engraftment, making it a feasible treatment option in
transplantation-eligible patients. These encouraging data have led to the inclusion of
bortezomib as a
salvage treatment option in the recently updated Fourth International Workshop on Waldenström's
Macroglobulinemia treatment recommendations.