Management of tumor lysis syndrome in patients with multiple myeloma during bortezomib treatment.

BACKGROUND Tumor lysis syndrome (TLS) is a severe, life-threatening complication that typically occurs in highly proliferative malignancies. Although TLS is unusual in multiple myeloma (MM), it is still associated with significant morbidity. Bortezomib has been widely used for the treatment of MM with encouraging results, but TLS seems to occur more frequently in patients with MM receiving bortezomib than in patients receiving other conventional agents. OBJECTIVES The purpose of this article is to present and examine several significant risk factors for the development of TLS, based on the results of a study involving patients with MM who developed TLS during bortezomib treatment. METHODS Patients with MM were treated with bortezomib-containing regimens. FINDINGS The early identification and intervention of high-risk patients with MM is imperative. Timely and efficient management could decrease TLS incidence rates and improve the efficacy of treatment outcomes.